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THE 



PICTORIAL BOOK 

OF THE 

COMMODORES: 

COMPRISING 

LIVES 

OF 

DISTINGUISHED COMMANDERS 

IN THE 

NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES. 




COMPILED FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES. 

BY JOHN FROST, LL.D., 

AUTHOR OF' "PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES," "PICTORIAL HISTORY 
OF THE WORLD, ■' &c. &c. 




NEW YORK: v ■//.,. ^^t 

NAFIS & CORNISH, 278 PEARL STREET>^^:.j^f^*^-^ 
St. LOUIS, (Mo.)~NAFIS, CORNISH & Co. 
PHILADELPHIA— JOHN B. PERRY. 



C\'^'^- 



Entered acccrdiiia; lo t!ic act of Congress, in t'lie year 1845, by 
JOHi\ FROST, 

in the office of the Clerk of the District Court of tlie United States, in and 
for tl.e Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



/ /6J 






PREFACE. //F 



While the Naval Biography of England and the 
other great maritime powers has been written by the 
ablest authors, and published with every aid of em- 
bellishment and typographical elegance, that of the 
United States has hitherto been permitted to remain 
unwritten; or has only presented itself to pubhc 
notice in the fugitive form of magazine or newspaper 
articles. It is not to be denied, however, that some 
of the lives which have appeared in this form were 
furnished by the ablest writers in the country, and 
derive their authority from original documents, let- 
ters, and personal narratives. From the materials 
for an American Naval Biography thus furnished, 
in addition to other original materials politely fur- 
nished by surviving naval officers, or the families of 
those who are deceased, the following work is com- 
posed. Were the compiler at liberty to give the 
name of each writer to whom he is indebted for any 
portion of this work, the list would command atten- 
tion and respect by the high literary reputation of 
the contributors. As it is, the work will speak for 
itself; and the reader will have no difficulty in per- 
ceiving that each biographical sketch has been exe- 

1# . 5 . 



VI PREFACE. 

cuted by one who is conversant with naval affairs and 
anxious to do justice to the subject. 

The compiler embraces the present opportunity of 
expressing his gratitude to the gentlemen, connected 
with the naval service, who have kindly aided the 
work by furnishing documents and other means of 
information necessary to its completion. His thanks 
are also due to Mr. Asa Spencer, the inventor of the 
machine for medal ruling, for his admirable facsimiles 
of several of the gold medals, conferred on distin- 
guished commanders by congress. All the engravings 
of medals in the work, except that of the Preble 
medal,* were engraved by Mr. Spencer himself 
Nearly all the views of naval actions were designed 
by Mr. James Hamilton, the marine and landscape 
painter, a young artist whose talents are already 
known and appreciated by the public. 

Should the present work meet with encourage- 
ment, it is the compiler's intention to furnish another 
series of lives of naval commanders, at some future 
period. 

Philadelphia, October 17, 1843. 

* This medal was ruled by Mr. Sexton, of the United States Mint, 
Philadelphia. 



CONTENTS 



John Paul Jones, 
Richard Dale, 
Alexander Murray, 
John Barry, . 
Nicholas Biddle, 
Joshua Barney, . 

Edward Preble, 
Thomas Truxtun, 
Jacob Jones, 
James Laavrence, 
Isaac Hull 

WiLLL\M Henry Allen, 
Johnston Elakeley, 
Stephen Decatur, 
Thomas Macdonough, 
James Biddle, 
Oliver Hazard Perry, 
William Bainbridge, 
Charles Stewart, 
David Porter, 
William Burrows, 



Page 9 

35 

. 60 

75 

. 89 

106 
. 135 

173 
. 185 

203 
. 232 

246 
. 263 

274 
. 293 

305 
. 338 

358 
. 384 

402 
. 427 



Directions to the Binder fm- placing th^ Steel Plate Engraimgs. 

Portrait of Commodore Bainbridge to face engraved title page. 
Medallion engraving. Medal presented to Commodore John Paul 

Jones, .... 9 

Medal presented to Commodore Preble, l35 
Medal presented to Commodore Jacob 

Jones, ..... 185 

Medal presented to Commodore Hull, . 232 

Medal presented to Commodore Biddle, 305 

Medal presented to Commodore Stewart, 384 

16 



LIST OP EMBELLISHMENTS. 



STEEL PLATES. 

1. Portrait of Commodore Bainbridge, '. . Frontispiece. 

2. Gold medal presented by congress to Commodore John Paul 
Jones, . - . . . -:^ .--^^ . . Page j^ 9 ^ 

3. Gold medal presented to Commodore Preble, j. . . 135 ^ 

4. Gold medal presented to Commodore Jacob Jones, . 185 

? 

5. Gold medal presented to Commodore Hull, , . . . 232 

\, 

6. Gold medal presented to Commodore Biddle, . . 305 

J " 

7. Gold medal presented to Commodore Stewart, . . 384 ■;_, 

ENGRAVINGS^ON WOOD. 

1. Title page. Drawn by W.^Croome. Engraved by G. T. De- 
vereux. 

2. Portrait of Commodore John Paul Jones. ^ Drawn by Pinker- 
ton. Engraved by C. K. Frost, /r •/ . . »" . ^ . . 9 

3. Ornamental letter. Engraved by 0. N. Parmelee, . . . 9 

9 



X EMBELLISHMENTS. 

4. John Paul Jones restoring Lord Selkirk's plate. Drawn and 

engraved by W. Croome, 17 v 

5. Engagement between the Bon-Homme Richard and the Sera- 
pis. Drawn by James Hamilton. Engraved by G. T. 
DevereuSE, 22v/ 

6. Tail piece. The American Eagle. Engraved by C. N. Par- 

melee, 34 

7. Portrait of Commodore Dale. Drawn by Pinkerton. Ei>- 
graved by Devereux, 35 

8. Ornamental letter. Engraved by C. N. Parmelee, . . 31 

9. Tail piece. Sailors reading the news of a victory. Drawn 

and engraved by T. H. Mumford, 59 

10. Portrait of Commodore Murray. Drawn by Pinkerton. En- 
graved by G. T. Devereux, 60 

11. Ornamental letter. The Midshipman. Drawn by Pinkerton. 

Engraved by Parmelee, 60 

12. Tail piece. Sailors smoking. Drawn and engraved by T. H. 

Mumford, 74 

13. Portrait of Commodore Barry. Drawn by Pinkerton. En- 
graved bv Devereux, 75 

14. Ornamental letter. Drawn by Pinkerton. Engraved by 

Parmelee, 75 

15. Engagement between the Alliance and the Atalanta. Drawn 

by James Hamilton. Engraved by G. T. Devereux, . 82 '' 



EMBELLISHMENTS. Xi 

16. Portrait of Captain Nicholas Biddle. Drawn and engraved 

by Henry B. Brown, 89 

17. Ornamental letter. Engraved by Henry B. Brown, . 89 

18. Mr. Biddle shipwrecked on the Northern Triangles. Engraved 

by Henry B. Brown, 91 

19. Action between the Randolph and the Yarmouth. Drawn 

by Hamilton. Engraved by G. T. Devereux, . . 101 . 

20. Tail piece. Sailor in the shrouds. Engraved by C. N. 
Parmelee, 105 

21. Portrait of Commodore Barney. Drawn by W. Croome, 
Engraved by G. T. Devereux, 106 

22. Ornamental letter. The Pilot. Drawn by Pinkerton. En- 
graved by G. T. Devereux, 106 

23. Engagement between the Hyder Ally and the General Monk. 
Drawn by James Hamilton. Engraved by G. T. Devereux, 125 

24. Ornamental letter. Eagle and Lion. Engraved by T. H. 
Mumford, 135 

25. Bombardment of Tripoli. Drawn by James Hamilton. En- 
graved by G. T. Devereux, 155 y 

26. Tail piece. Engraved by C. N. Parmelee, . . .172 

27. Gold medal portrait of Commodore Truxtun. Drawn and 
engraved by Henry B. Brown, 173 

28. Ornamental letter. Engraved by C. N. Parmelee, . . 173 



xii EMBELLISHMENTS. 

29. Engagement between the Constellation and the Vengeance, 
Drawn by Hamilton. Engraved by Devereux, . . 181 v 

30. Tail piece. Engraved by C, K. Frost, . . . .184 

31. Portrait of Commodore Jacob Jones. Drawn and engraved 

by H. B. Brown, 185 

32. Ornamental letter. Throwing the Lead. Drawn by Pinkerton. 
Engraved by Devereux, 185 

33. Surrender of the Frolic to the Wasp. Drawn by James 
Hamilton. Engraved by G. T. Devereux, . . . 193 / 

34. Tail piece. Engraved by C. K. Frost, .... 202 

35. Portrait of Captain Lawrence. Drawn by H. B. Brown. 
Engraved by G. T. Devereux, 203 

36. Ornamental letter. Engraved by T. H. Mumford, . . 203 

37. The Peacock sunk by the Hornet. Drawn by James Hamil- 

ton. Engraved by G. T. Devereux, 214 >J 

38. Tail piece. Engraved by C. N. Parmelee, ... 231 

39. Portrait of Commodore HuU. Drawn by Pinkerton. En- 
graved by W. Croome, 284 v 

40. Ornamental letter. Engraved by Minot, .... 234 s] 

41. Escape of the Constitution from a British squadron. En- 

graved by W. Croome, 237 . 

42. The Constitution and the Goerriere. Drawn by James 

Hamilton. Engraved by G. T. Devereux, ... 242 . 

43. Tail piece." Drawn and engraved by T. H. Mumford, . 245 



EMBELLISHMENTS. xiii 

44. Portrait of Captain Allen. Drawn by H. B. Brown. En- 
graved by G. T. Devereux, 246 

45. Ornamental letter. Engraved by C. N. Parmelee, . . 246 

46. Portrait of Captain Blakeley. Drawn by H. B. Brown. En- 
graved by G. T. Devereux, 268 f f 

47. Ornamental letter. Engraved by C. N. Parmelee, . . 263 

48. The Wasp and the Reindeer. Engraved by C. N. Parmelee, 269 ^ ' 

49. Portrait of Commodore Decatur. Drawn by Pinkerton. En- 
graved by W. Croome, 274 

50. Ornamental letter. Engraved by C. N. Parmelee, . . 274 

51. Burning of the Philadelphia. Drawn by James Hamilton. 
Engraved by G T. Devereux, 280 -^ 

52. Engagement between the United States and the Macedonian. 

Drawn by James Hamilton. Engraved by G. T. Devereux, 287 J 

53. Tail piece. Engraved by C. K. Frost, .... 292 

54. Portrait of Commodore Macdonough. Drawn and engraved 

by H. B. Brown, 293 

55. Ornamental letter. Engraved by C. N. Parmelee, . . 293 

56. Battle of Lake Champlain. Drawn by James Hamilton. 
Engraved by G. T. Devereux, 300 

57. Tail piece. Engraved by Thomson, 304 

58. Ornamental letter. Engraved by C. K. Frost, '. , 305 

59. Surrender of the Penguin. Drawn by James Hamilton. En> 
graved by G. T. Devereux, 324 



Xiv EMBELLISHMENTS. 

60. Escape of the Hornet from a British seventy-four. Drawn 

by James Hamilton. Engraved by G. T. Devereux, . 331 J 

61. Tail piece. Engraved by C. K. Frost, . . . .337 

62. Portrait of Commodore Perry. Drawn and engraved by H. 

B. Brown, 338 

63. Ornamental letter. Engraved by W. Croome, . . 338 

64. Battle of Lake Erie. Drawn by James Hamilton. Engraved 

by G. T. Devereux, 351-J 

65. Tail piece. Engraved by C. N. Parmelee, . . . 357 

66. Ornamental letter. Engraved by G. T. Devereux, . . 358 
07. Constitution and Java. Drawn by James Hamilton. En- 
graved by G. T. Devereux, 379 .^ 

68. Tail piece. Drawn and engraved by T. H. Mumford, . 383 

69. Ornamental letter. Engraved by C. K. Frost, . . .384 

70. Capture of the Cyane and Levant. Drawn by James Hamil- 
ton. Engraved by G. T. Devereux, .... 395 y 

71. Tail piece. Engraved by C. K. Frost, .... 401 

72. Portrait of Commodore David Porter. Drawn by H. B. 

Brown. Engraved by G. T. Devereux, . . . 402 

73. Ornamental letter. Engraved by W. Croome, . . . 402 

74. Ornamental letter. Engraved by W. Croome, . . 427 

75. Action between the Enterprise and the Boxer. Drawn by 
James Hamilton. Engraved bv G. T. Devereux, . . 435 vy 



s^e 




JOHN PAUL JONES. 

N commemorating 

rthe lives and ser- 
vices of the naval 
""^ii. commanders dis- 
tinguished in the 
history of our coun- 
try, it is but just to 
place Paul Jones 
among the first. He 
was the first to hoist 
the American flag in a regular American man of war. 
He gained the most brilliant victory won upon the 
ocean during the war of independence ; and through- 
out the whole of his splendid career he exhibited a 
B 9 




10 EARLY LIFE. 

degree of courage and ability which has been sur- 
passed by none of those who have succeeded him in 
the brilHant line of our naval heroes. 

John Paul Jones, was the son of Mr. John Paul, 
a respectable gardener. He was born at Arbigland, 
in the parish of Kirkbean, and stewartry of Kirkcud- 
bright, in the month of July, 1747, and received the 
rudiments of his education at the parochial school. 
The contiguity of his residence to the shore of the 
Solway Firth, inspired him with an early predilection 
for a sea-faring life ; and while yet a mere child, he 
hoisted his flag on board his mimic ship, and issued 
audible mandates to his imaginary officers and crew, 
with all the consequence of a legitimate commander. 
Nor was he content with this. As his skill in 
manoeuvring improved, he ventured to criticise the 
nautical knowledge of practical sailors; and in the 
eager and confident tone with which, from the emi- 
nence on which he took his station, he thundered 
forth his orders to the vessels which were entering 
the port at Carsethorn, might be remarked the ardent 
and enterprising mind of one who felt that he was 
born to future command. 

At the time of which we speak, the town of Dumfries 
carried on a very considerable trade in tobacco with 
America; and as the Nith was not navigable to foreign 
vessels, the cargoes were unshipped at Carsethorn, 
near the mouth of that river. There, from his earliest 
years, Paul had opportunities of conversing with 
mariners from the discontented colonies ; and it is 
probable that he thus first imbibed that enthusiastic 
attachment to the United States, and those revolu- 
tionary principles, which exerted so decided an in- 



IN THE MERCHANT SERVICE. 11 

fluence on his conduct when he grew up to maturity, 
and eventually led him to renounce his allegiance, and 
raise his hand against the country which gave him 
birth. 

His partiality for a sailor's life, was so determined, 
that his friends resolved to indulge it ; and accordingly 
at the age of twelve, he was sent across the Firth 
to Whitehaven, where he was bound apprentice to 
Mr. Younger, a respectable merchant in the American 
trade. His first voyage was made on board the Friend- 
ship, Capt. Benson. His course was steered for the 
Rappahannoc, and before he had completed his thir- 
teenth year, he had landed on the shore of that 
country which he was destined to adopt as his own. 
His home, while the ship was in port, was the house 
of an elder brother, who, having married a native of 
Virginia, had previously settled there. Here his 
early prepossessions in favour of America were con- 
firmed, and from that period, as he afterwards ex- 
pressed himself to Baron Van der Capellan, that 
became " the country of his fond election." 

In the meantime, his intelligence and good conduct 
acquired him the esteem and confidence of his em- 
ployer, who promised to give him a substantial proof 
of his favour, by promoting him to the command of a 
vessel ; and he would have kept his word, had not the 
embarrassed state of his affairs deprived him of the 
power to do it. 

Our adventurer, being at length freed from the 
trammels of apprenticeship, made several voyages to 
the coast of Africa ; but he soon became disgusted 
with a traffic which had too long been the disgrace of 
civilized nations, and confined his services to the 



12 JONES VISITS VIRGINIA, 

command of vessels engaged in a more reputable and 
Iciiitimate commerce. 

In the year 1773, he went to Virginia to arrange 
the affairs of his brother, who had died there without 
leaving any family ; and about this time, in addition 
to his original surname, he assumed the patronymic 
of Jones, his father's Christian name having been 
John. This custom, which is of classical authority, 
has long been prevalent in Wales, and in various 
other countries, although it is not usual in that part 
of the island in which he was born. 

This visit revived and rivetted the attachment 
which young Paul Jones had conceived for America; 
and in spite of the native ardor and restless activity 
of his mind, he resolved to withdraw from the vicissi- 
tudes of a sea-faring life, to fix his residence in that 
country, and to devote the remainder of his days to 
retirement and study. He was little aware of the 
turbulent scenes in which he was destined soon to 
perform a part, nor of the conspicuous figure he was 
to make in them. 

The discontents of the colonists had by this time 
occasioned much commotion, and their murmurs be- 
came daily deeper and more frequent, till at last they 
fairly broke off all connection with the parent country. 
Towards the conclusion of the year 1775, it was de- 
termined by Congress to fit out a naval force to assist 
in the defence of American independence, and an 
anxious search was made for friends to the cause who 
should be at once able and willing to act as officers 
on board their vessels. It now appeared that Paul 
Jones had, in his romantic schemes of tranquil enjoy- 
ment, falsely estimated the natural bent of his genius. 



HOISTS THE AMERICAN FLAG. 13 

With deep interest he had watched the progress of 
those poUtical events which were to decide the fate 
of his adopted country; and when an open resistance 
was made to the dominion of Britain, he could no 
longer remain an inactive spectator. Having only 
just completed his twenty-eighth year, he was full of 
bodily vigour and of mental energy, and he conceived 
that his nautical skill would qualify him to be a dis- 
tinguished asserter of the rights of the colonists. He 
was immediately appointed first lieutenant of the 
Alfred, one of the only two ships belonging to Con- 
gress, and on board that vessel, before Philadelphia, 
he hoisted the flag of independent America with his 
own hands, the first time it was ever displayed in a 
national ship. In the course of a very active and 
successful campaign, having found means to gain the 
confidence of the Marine Committee by his zeal and 
intrepidity, he had not served many months before the 
President sent him a captain's commission. 

In November, 1777, he sailed for France, in the 
Ranger, a new sloop-of-war of eighteen guns, with 
despatches of the victory of Saratoga. It was in- 
tended that, "as a reward for the important services" 
which he had already rendered to America, he should 
be appointed to the command of the Indian, a fine 
frigate, just built for Congress at Amsterdam, and 
that the Ranger should act under his orders ; but the 
American commissioners at Paris found it their best 
policy to assign this vessel over to the King of France, 
and Captain Paul Jones continued with the Ranger. 
Having convoyed some merchant ships to Quiberon 
Bay, he there received from the French commander the 

first salute that was ever given to the flag of Congress. 

2 



14 DLSCENT ON THE COAST OF SCOTLAND, 

Eager to retaliate upon Britain for some predator)^ 
exploits of her sailors on the American coast, and 
exasperated by the resolution which the English 
government had taken, to treat all the supporters of 
independence as traitors and rebels, Captain Paul 
Jones soon after this entered the Irish Channel, and 
approached his native shores, not as a friend, but as 
a determined enemy. On the night of the 22d April, 
1778, he came to anchor in the Solway Firth, almost 
w^ithin sight of the trees which sheltered the house in 
which he first drew the breath of life. Early next 
morning, he rowed for the English coast, at the head 
of thirty-one volunteers, in two boats, with the inten- 
tion of destroying the shipping (about two hundred 
sail,) which lay in the harbor of Whitehaven. In 
this daring attempt he would probably have succeeded 
without difficulty, had not the strength of the op- 
posing tide retarded his progress so much, that day 
began to dawn before he could gain the shore. He 
despatched the smaller of the two boats to the north 
of the port to set fire to the vessels, whilst he led the 
remainder of the party in person to the more hazard- 
ous duty of securing the fort, which was situated on 
a hill to the south. It was a cold morning ; and the 
sentinels, little aware that an enemy was so near, had 
retired into the guard-room for warmth, affording 
Jones an opportunity to take them by surprise, of 
which he did not fail to avail himself Climbing over 
the shoulders of the tallest of his men, he crept silently 
through one of the embrasures, and was instantly 
followed by the rest. Their first care was to make 
fast the door of the guard-room, and their next to 
spike the cannon, thirty-six in number. Having 



DESCENT ON ST. MARY'S ISLE. 15 

eflfected this without bloodshed, they proceeded to 
join the detachment which had been sent to the north; 
and finding that a false alarm had deterred them from 
executing their orders, Jones instantly proceeded to 
set fire to the vessels within his reach. By this 
time, however, the inhabitants were roused, and the 
invaders were obliged to retreat, leaving three ships 
in flames, of which one alone was destroyed. 

On the same day with this adventure, another 
memorable occurrence took place, which contributed, 
for a time, to add greatly to the odium which the first 
had brought on his name in Britain, but which, in the 
end, enabled him to prove that he was possessed of 
the most disinterested and heroic qualities. In 
cruising off the coast of Galloway, it occurred to 
him, that, if he could get into his power a man of 
high rank and influence in the state, he should be 
able, by retaining him as a hostage, to ensure to the 
American prisoners of war more lenient treatment 
than was threatened by the British government. 
Knowing that the Earl of Selkirk possessed a seat 
in St. Mary's Isle, a beautiful peninsula at the mouth 
of the Dee, and being ill-informed with regard to the 
political connections of that nobleman, he destined 
him for the subject of his experiment. With that 
view, he landed on the Isle, about noon, with two 
officers and a few men; but before they had proceeded 
far, he learnt that his lordship was from home, and 
that there were none but ladies at the house. Find- 
ing his object frustrated, he now wished to return ; 
but his crew were not so easily satisfied. Their 
object was plunder ; and as they consisted of men 
in a very imperfect state of discipline, and with 



16 RESTORES LORD SELKIRK'S PLATE. 

whom it would have been dangerous to contend, he 
allowed them to proceed. He exacted from them, 
however, a promise that they should be guilty of no 
violence ; that the men Should not enter the house, 
and that the officers, after having made their demands, 
should accept of what might be put into their hands 
without scrutiny. These conditions were punctually 
obeyed. The greater part of the Selkirk plate was 
carried off in triumph by the crew, and Paul Jones 
was, for a time, stigmatized as a freebooter : but he 
nobly vindicated his character, by taking the earliest 
opportunity of purchasing the whole of it, out of his 
own private funds, and remitting it safe to its original 
owner, without accepting the smallest remuneration. 
National prejudice has misrepresented this transac- 
tion ; and in order to heighten the popular indignation 
against our hero, it has been common to state, that 
this attempt on the person, and as it was supposed 
the property, of Lord Selkirk, was aggravated by in- 
gratitude, his father having eaten of that nobleman's 
bread. Nothing can be more false. Neither Mr. 
Paul, nor any of his kindred, ever was in the Earl's 
employ, or had ever the most distant connection with 
his lordship or his family ; and in a correspondence 
which took place between our hero and Lady Sel- 
kirk, relative to the restitution of the plate, a most 
honourable testimony was gratefully paid by the latter 
to the Captain's character. 

The day succeeding the two events just mentioned, 
Paul Jones encountered the Drake, a King's ship of 
twenty guns, in Carrick Fergus bay, and took her 
after a very brave resistance, in the course of which 
the English captain and his first lieutenant were 










S^'ii^fii^^ 



Jones restores Lord Selkirk's plate. 



c 



2* 



LE BON-HOMME RICHARD. 19 

mortally wounded. With this and another large 
prize, Captain Jones returned to Brest, after an ab- 
sence of twenty-eight days of very active service, in 
which, besides taking and destroying many valuable 
vessels, he had thrown the coasts of Scotland and 
Ireland into consternation, occasioned the Irish Vo- 
lunteers to be embodied, and obliged the English 
government to expend considerable sums in fortifying 
the harbours. 

A teazing period of hopes and disappointments fol- 
lowed. The French ministry, to testify their good 
will to the United States, had promised to furnish 
Paul Jones with a ship, in which, however, he was to 
display the American flag ; but, after various written 
memorials, no progress seemed to have been made 
towards the fulfilment of this engagement. At length 
he determined to apply in person, and having gone to 
Paris, he soon obtained the command of the Due de 
Duras of forty guns. The name, however, he changed 
to Le Bon-Homme Richard, in compliment to the wise 
saying of Poor Richard, " If you would have your 
business done, come yourself; if not, send." In this 
vessel, badly manned, and not much better furnished, 
Paul Jones sailed as Commodore of a little squadron, 
consisting, besides his own ship, of the Alliance of 
thirty-six guns, the Pallas of thirty-two, the Serf of 
eighteen, the Vengeance of twelve, and two privateers, 
which requested leave to share the Commodore's for- 
tunes. After taking several prizes, the Serf, the pri- 
vateers, and at length the Alliance, deserted the 
squadron. The Commodore's good fortune, however, 
did not desert him. On the 15th September, he 
was, with his own ship, the Pallas, the Vengeance, 



20 ATTEMPT ON LEITH. 

and several prizes, at the entrance into the Firth of 
Forth, where they made every necessary disposition 
to seize the guard-ship, and two cutters, that rode at 
anchor in the roads, and to lay Leith, and perhaps 
Edinburgh, under contribution. The wind, which 
was fair, in the night, opposed them in the morning. 
However, on the 16th, the little squadron continued 
all day to work up the Firth. At this time a mem- 
ber of the British Parliament observing them from 
the coast of Fife, and mistaking them for the King's 
ships, sent off a boat to inform the Commodore that 
he was greatly afraid of Paul Jones, and to beg some 
powder and shot. Our hero, much amused with the 
message, sent him a barrel of gunpowder, with a civil 
answer to quiet his fears, and an apology for not in- 
cluding shot in the present. 

Next morning at day-break, every thing was in 
perfect readiness to commence the engagement, and 
two tacks more would have brought the strangers 
alongside their enemies, when, at that critical moment, 
a sudden gale of wind swept down the Firth, raging 
with such violence, as completely to overpower them, 
to sink one of the prizes, and drive all the rest of the 
squadron fairly out to sea. By this failure, the 
captains of the Pallas and Vengeance were so much 
disheartened, that they could not be prevailed on to 
renew the attempt. 

Continuing their cruise, after various adventures, 
the squadron suddenly discovered the homeward- 
bound British Baltic fleet, off Scarborough castle, 
escorted by the frigate Serapis, and the Countess of 
Scarborough. After a long engagement, in which 
Paul Jones displayed the most astonishing skill, intra- 



';i|!IJ,(;;fi'/''ri;/;; 




JONES MEETS THE BALTIC FLEET. 23 

pidity, and presence of mind, the Countess of Scar- 
borough struck to the Pallas, and the Serapis to the 
Bon-Homme Richard, which latter ship was reduced 
to so shattered a state, that next morning, after all 
hands had left her, she went to the bottom. The 
Serapis was not in much better condition, the Com- 
modore having, with his own hands, lashed the two 
ships together, to prevent the enemy from availing 
himself of his superiority in weight of metal. The 
following is Paul Jones' own account of this famous 
battle : — 

" Soon after this a fleet of forty-one sail appeared 
off Flamborough Head, bearing N. N. E. This in- 
duced me to abandon the single ship which had then 
anchored in Burlington Bay ; I also called back the 
pilot-boat, and hoisted a signal for a general chase. 
When the fleet discovered us bearing down, all the 
merchant ships crowded sail towards the shore. The 
two ships of war that protected the fleet at the same 
time steered from the land, and made the disposition 
for battle. In approaching the enemy, I crowded 
every possible sail, and made the signal for the line 
of battle, to which the Alliance showed no attention. 
Earnest as I was for the action, I could not reach 
the Commodore's ship until seven in the evening, 
being then within pistol-shot, when he hailed the 
Bon-Homme Richard. We answered him by firing 
a whole broadside. 

" The battle being thus begun, was continued with 
unremitting fury. Every method was practised on 
both sides to gain an advantage, and rake each other; 
and I must confess that the enemy's ship, being much 
more manageable than the Bon-Homme Richard, 



24 BATTLK BETWEEN 

gained thereby several times an advantageous situa- 
tion, in s|ute of my best endeavours to prevent it. 

As I liad to deal with an enemy of greatly superior 
force, I was under the neeessity of closing with him, 
to prevent the advantage which he had over me in 
point of mananivre. It was my intention to lay the 
Bon llonnnc Richard athwart the enemy's bow; but 
as that operation required great dexterity in the 
management of both sails and helm, and some of our 
braces being shot away, it did not exactly succeed to 
my w ish. The enemy's bowsprit, however, came over 
the Bon-IIomme Richard's poop by the mizen-mast, 
and I made both ships fast together in that situation, 
which, by the action o( the wind on the enemy's sails, 
forced hor stern close to the Bon-llommc Richard's 
bow, so that the ships lay square alongside of each 
other, the yards being all entangled, and the cannon of 
each ship touching the opponent's. 

*• \\ hcu this position took place, it was eight o'clock, 
previous to whicli the ]>on-Honime Richard had 
received sundry eighteen-pound shots below the 
water, and leaked very much. My battery o( twelve- 
pounders, on which 1 had placed my chief dependence, 
being commanded by Lieutenant Dale and Colonel 
A\'eibert. and manned principally with American 
seamen and French volunteers, was entirely silenced 
and abandoned. As to the six old eighteen-pounders 
that I'ormed the battery of the lower gun-deck, they 
did no service whatever, except tiring eight shot in 
all. 'Two out of three of them burst at the first lire, 
and killed almost all tlie nun\ who were stationed to 
manage them. Before this time, too, Colonel de 
Chamillard. wlio commanded a party of twcnlv soldiers 



THE RICHARD AND THE SERA PIS. 2o 

on the poop, had abandoned that station after having 
lost some of liis men. I had now only two pieces 
of cannon, (ninc-poundcrs,) on the quarter-deck, that 
were not silenced, and not one of the heavier cannon 
was tired during the rest of the action. The purser, 
M. Mease, who commanded the guns on the quarter- 
deck, being dangerously wounded in the head, I was 
obliged to fdl his place, and with great ditliculty rallied 
a few men, and shifted over one of the lee quarter- 
deck guns, so that we afterwards played three pieces 
of nine-pounders upon the enemy. The tops alone 
seconded the lire of this little battery, and held out 
bravely during the whole of the action, especially the 
main-top, where Lieutenant Stack commanded. I 
directed the tire of one of the tliree cannon against 
the main-mast, with double-headed shot, while the 
otlior two were exceedingly well served witli grape 
and canister shot, to silence the enemy's musketry and 
clear her decks, which was at last etTected. The 
enemy were, as I have since understood, on the in- 
stant of calling for quarters, when the cowardice or 
treachery of three of my under-ollicers induced them 
to call to the enemy. The English Commodore 
asked me if I demanded quarters, and I having answer- 
ed him in the most determined negative, they renewed 
the battle with double fury. They were unable to 
stand the deck ; but the fire of their cannon, especially 
the lower battery, which was entirely formed of ten- 
pounders, was incessant ; both ships were set on fire 
in various places, and the scene was dreadful beyond 
the reach of language. To account for the timidity 
of my three under-ollicers, I mean the gunner, the 
carpenter, and the master-at-arms, I must observe, 
D 3 



26 BATTLE BETWEEN 

that the two first were slightly wounded and, as tlie 
ship had received various shot under water, and one 
of the pumps being shot away, the carpenter expressed 
his fears tliat she would sink, and the other two con- 
cluded that she was sinking, which occasioned the 
gunner to run aft on the poop, without my knowledge, 
to strike the colours. Fortunately for me, a cannon- 
ball had done that before, by carrying away the en- 
sitrn-statf ; he was therefore reduced to the necessity 
of sinking, as he supposed, or of calling for quarter, 
and he preferred the latter. 

" All this time the Bon-Homme Richard had sus- 
tained the action alone, and the enemy, though much 
superior in force, would have been very glad to have 
got clear, as appears by their own acknowledgments, 
and by their having let go an anchor the instant that 
I laid them on board, by which means they would 
have escaped, had I not made them well fast to the 
Bon-Homme Richard. 

'' At last, at half-past nine o'clock, the Alliance 
appeared, and I now thought the battle at an end ; 
but, to my utter astonishment, he discharged a broad- 
side full into the sterr of the Bon-Homme Richard. 
AVe called to him for God's sake to forbear firing 
into the Bon-Homme Richard ; yet they passed along 
the oil-side of the ship, and continued firing. There 
was no possibility of his mistaking the enemy's ships 
for the I3on-Hommc Richard, there being the most 
essential ditTerence in their appearance and construc- 
tion. Besides, it was then full moonlight, and the 
sides of the Bon-Homme Richard were all black, 
while the sides of the prize were all yellow. Yet, 
for the greater security, I showed the signal of our 



THE RICHARD AND THE SERAPIS. 27 

reconnoissance, by putting out three lanterns, one at 
the lioad, anotlior at the stern, and the thh'd in the 
middle, in a horizontal line. Every tongue cried 
that he was firing into the wrong ship, but nothing 
availed; he passed round liring into the Bon-Homme 
Richard's head, stern, and broadside, and by one of 
his volleys killed several of my best men, and mor- 
tally wounded a good oflicer on the forecastle only. 
My situation was really deplorable; the Bon-Homme 
Richard received various shot under water from the 
Alliance ; the leak gained on the pumps, and the iirc 
increased much on board both ships. Some officers 
persuaded me to strike, of whose courage and good 
sense I entertain a high opinion. My treacherous 
master-at-arms let loose all my prisoners without my 
knowledge, and my prospects became gloomy indeed. 
I would not, however, give up the point. The 
enemy's mainmast began to shake, their tiring de- 
creased fast, ours rather increased, and the British 
colours were struck at half an hour past ten o'clock. 
" This prize proved to be the British ship of war 
the Serapis, a new ship of forty-four guns, built on 
the most approved construction, with two complete 
batteries, one of them eighteen-pounders, and com- 
manded by the brave Commodore Richard Pearson. I 
had yet two enemies to encounter far more formidable 
than the Britons, — I mean fire and water. The 
Serapis was attacked only by tlie first, but the Bon- 
Homme Richard was assailed by both ; there was 
five feet water in the hold, and though it was moderate 
from the explosion of so much gunpowder, yet the three 
pumps that remained could with difficulty only keep 
the water from gaining. The fire broke out in various 



28 CONDITION OK THE K I C H A R D. 

parts of the ship in spite of all the water that could 
be thrown in to quench it, and at length broke out 
as low as the powder-magazine, and within a few 
inches of the powder. In that dilemma I took out 
the powder upon deck, ready to be thrown overboard 
at the last extremity, and it was ten o'clock the next 
day (the 2 Ith) before the fire was entirely extinguish- 
ed. With respect to the situation of the Bon-Homme 
Kichard, the rudder was cut entirely off, the atern- 
frame and transoms were almost entirely cut away, 
and the timbers by the lower deck, especially from 
the mainmas^t towards the stern, being greatly de- 
caved with age, were mangled beyond my power of 
description, and a person must have been an eye- 
witness to form a just idea o( the tremendous scene 
of carnage, wreck, and ruin, which every where ap- 
peared. Humanity cannot but recoil from the pros- 
pect of such liuished horror, and lament that war 
should be capable o( producing such fatal conse- 
quences. 

•' Alter the cai'penters, as well as Captain Cottineau 
and other men of sense, had well examined and sur- 
veyed the ship, (which was not linished before live in 
the evening,) I found every person to be convinced that 
it was impossible to keep the Bon-Honnne Kichard 
atloat, so as to reach a port, if the wind should in- 
crease, it being then only a very moderate breeze. 1 
had but little time to remove my wounded, which 
now became unavoidable, and which was effected in 
the coui-se of the night and next morning. I was 
determined to keep the Bon-Uomme Richard atloat, 
and, if possible, to bring her into port. For that 
purpose, the tirst lieutenant of the Pallas continued 



ARRIVAL AT THE TEXEL. 29 

on board with a party of men, to attend the pumps, 
with boats in waiting^, ready to take them on board 
in case the water should gain on them too fast. The 
wind augmented in the night, and the next day, 
tlic 25th, so that it was impossible to prevent the 
good old ship from sinking. They did not abandon 
her till after nine o'clock ; tlie water was then up to 
the lower deck, and a little after ten I saw, with in- 
expressible grief, the last glimpse of the Boii-Hommc 
Richard. No lives were lost Avith the ship, but it 
was impossible to save the stores of any sort what- 
ever. I lost even the best part of my clothes, books, 
and papers ; and several of my officers lost all their 
clothes and effects. 

*' Having thus endeavoured to give a clear and 
simple relation of the circumstances and events tha,t 
have attended the little armament under my com- 
mand, I shall freely submit my conduct therein to 
the censure of my superiors and the impartial public. 
I beg leave, however, to observe, that the force that 
was put under my command was far from being well 
composed, and as the great majority of the actors in 
it have appeared bent on the pursuit of interest only, 
I am exceedingly sorry that they and I have been at 
all concerned." 

Such is the despatch which Commodore Jones 
transmitted from the Tcxel to Dr. Franklin, and 
afterwards to Congress. 

The Commodore now took the command of the 
Serapis, erected jury-masts, and with some difficulty 
conveyed his prizes to the Texel. Paul Jones, who 
never sutfcrcd the interests of his fellow-citizens to 
be lost sight of, exerted all his influence with the 

3* 



30 ESCAPE FROM THE BRITISH FLEET. 

French court to have it arranged that his prisoners 
should be exchanged against American prisoners in 
England, and he completely succeeded. Dr. Frank- 
lin, the minister of the United States at Paris, soon 
cheered his heart, by writing to him, that " he had 
then completed the glorious work he had so nobly 
begun, by giving liberty to all the Americans who 
then languished for it in England." On this occa- 
sion, too, the King of France directed his ambassa- 
dor at the Hague to communicate to Commodore 
Paul Jones the high personal esteem he bore for his 
character, especially for his disinterestedness and 
humanity. 

The Captain of the Alliance being ordered to Paris, 
to answer for his insubordination, Jones took the 
connnand of that vessel ; but he now found himself 
environed with dangers. The Dutch were summoned 
to deliver him up to the vengeance of the English 
government, as a pirate and a rebel ; and they were 
most reluctantly constrained to order him out to sea, 
where an English squadron was watching to pounce 
upon him as their certain pi*cy. The acceptance of a 
commission from the King of France would have 
saved him from this dilemma , and the ambassador 
from his Most Christian Majesty repeatedly urged 
him to adopt that alternative, but he thought his 
honour engaged to decline it. He would not, at 
whatever risk, abandon the flag of his beloved 
America. He, however, contrived to make his 
escape, passing the Straits of Dover, and the Isle of 
Wi^lit, before the very beards of the English fleets. 

Towards the close of 1780, our hero sailed for 
America, in the Ariel, with important despatches, and 



THE GOLD SWORD. 31 

having encountered in his passage the Triumph, an 
English vessel of twenty guns, he forced her to strike. 
A little before this time, the King of France had 
testified his approbation of Paul Jones's services, by- 
presenting him with a superb gold sword ; and a letter 
from M. de Sartaine now reached the President of 
the United States, requesting liberty " to decorate 
that brave officer with the cross of the order of mili- 
tary merit." The demand was laid before Congress, 
and a law having been passed on the 27th February, 
acceding to it, he was formally invested by the 
Chevalier de la Luzerne, at a public fete given to tlie 
members of that legislative body. In April follow- 
ing, on the report of a committee. Congress passed a 
vote of thanks to the Chevaher Paul Jones "for the 
zeal, prudence, and intrepidity with which he had 
sustained the honour of the American flag ; for his 
bold and successful enterprises to redeem from cap- 
tivity those citizens of America who had fallen under 
the power of the enemy ; and, in general, for the 
good conduct and eminent services by which he had 
added lustre to his character, and to the arms of 
America." 

During the remainder of the war with England, 
he had no opportunity to signalize himself. After it 
was over, Congress, as an expression of gratitude, 
caused a gold medal to be struck, with appropriate 
legends and devices, to perpetuate the memory of his 
valour and services. The annexed engraving, exe- 
cuted in the ruled manner from a duplicate of the 
medal, by Mr. Asa Spencer, the inventor of the 
machine for medal ruling, gives an accurate resem- 
blance of it. 



32 MISSION TO DENMARK. 

In 1787, the United States having charged the 
Chevalier with a mission to the court of Denmark, 
he set sail for that country in the month of November, 
and, passing through Paris in his way, was strongly 
solicited to assume the command of the Russian fleet 
in the Black Sea. Soon after his arrival at Copen- 
hagen, a courier, sent express by the Empress 
Cathai'ine, conveyed to him an urgent invitation to 
St. Petersburgh. Although he saw many reasons 
for declining to engage in the service of that poten- 
tate, he was flattered by the offer, and felt himself 
bound at least to thank her Majesty in person. He, 
therefore, set out instantly for her Court, by the way 
of Sweden ; but at Greshelham found the passage of 
the Gulf of Bothnia blocked up by ice. After 
several unsuccessful attempts to proceed to Finland 
by the islands,' he conceived that it might be practi- 
cable to eilect his object by doubling the ice to the 
southward. The enterprise was formidable, and 
altogether new ; but our hero was not easily daunted. 
Without making known his intentions to his com- 
panions, he set sail from Greshelham one morning 
very early, in an open boat about thirty feet long, 
followed by a little one to haul over the ice. To- 
wards evening, having got nearly opposite to Stock- 
holm, our adventurer, producing his pistols, ordered 
the astonished boatmen to pursue the route which 
he had secretly devised. Resistance was vain, and 
he was obeyed. All night the wind was favourable, 
and they hoped to reach the coast of Finland in the 
morning ; but they found themselves opposed by an 
impenetrable barrier of ice. Neither was it possible, 
from the state of the weather to return The only 



ADMIRAL IN THE RUSSIAN SERVICE, 33 

resource was to make for the Gulf of Finland. 
When night came on, they steered by the aid of a 
pocket-compass, lighted by the lamp of the Chevalier's 
carriage ; and, at the end of four days, after having 
lost the smaller of their two boats, they terminated 
a perilous and fatiguing voyage at Revel, in Livonia. 

The Chevalier was graciously received at the Court 
of St. Petersburgh ; and, no longer opposing the 
wishes of the Empress, attached himself to her ser- 
vice, under this single condition, " That he should 
never be condemned unheard." 

He proceeded, without delay, with the rank of Rear 
Admiral, to take the command of the fleet stationed 
at the Liman, or mouth of the Dneiper, and oppose 
the Turkish fleet under the Captain Pacha, On the 
26th May, 1788, he hoisted his flag on board the 
Wolodimer. His squadron was supported by a 
flotilla under the Prince of Nassau, and land forces 
under Prince Potemkin. Our limits forbid us to 
follow Admiral Jones through this campaign. It 
afforded him many opportunities of displaying his 
characteristic intrepidit}^ and professional skill ; but 
mean jealousy and malignant cabals deprived him of 
much well-earned glory. He was, however, invested 
with the order of St. Anne, as an acknowledgment 
of his fidelity: and, on his arrival at St. Petersburgh, 
he was told that he was destined for a more important 
service. Disgusted, however, by the intrigues of 
selfish men, he left Russia in August, 1 789, and never 
returned. 

The remainder of his days he spent partly in Hol- 
land, and partly in France. He collected a number 
of important documents relative to the public trans- 
E 



34 



JONES WRITES HIS OWN LIFE. 



actions in which he had been actively concerned; 
and, as if he had foreseen that he was not to be long- 
lived, he devoted much of his leisure to the arrange- 
ment of his affairs, and to the preparation of papers, 
which should exhibit his character and services in 
their true light to his friends and to posterity. 

He died at Paris of a dropsy in the chest, in July, 
1 792, having barely completed his forty-fifth year. His 
funeral was attended by a deputation of the National 
Assembly, and an oration was pronounced over his 
tomb by M. Marron. 

Among the Admiral's papers were found memoirs 
of his life, written with his own hand ; a most inter- 
esting literary production ; from these papers the 
above sketch was drawn up.* 

* Edinburgh Encyclopaedia. 





RICHARD DALE. 

ONES' lieutenant 
in the famous ac- 
tion with the Se- 
rapis, is the subject 
of the present me- 
moir. 

Richard Dale 
was born on the 
sixth of November, 
1756, in Norfolk 
county, Virginia. He is descended from a family 
highly respectable, though not wealthy. His parents 
were both natives of Virginia. His father left five 
children of whom Richard was the eldest. Having 
manifested, from an early period of life, a strong 
predilection for the sea, his friends were induced to 




35 



36 IN THE MERCHANT SERVICE. 

comply with his wishes. Accordingly, when only 
twelve years of age, he entered on board a vessel 
commanded by his uncle, with whom he sailed from 
Norfolk for Liverpool, in November, 1768. He re- 
turned the following summer, and remained at home 
until the spring of 1770, when he was bound appren- 
tice to colonel Thomas Newton, a respectable mer- 
chant of Norfolk. In the employ of that gentleman 
he made several voyages to the West Indies, during 
which nothing of moment occurred, except two acci- 
dents, which are worthy of notice only as being the 
commencement of a series of misfortunes that awaited 
him. The first was a fall which he received from the 
spars, lying across the belfry and the gallows, a dis- 
tance of eighteen or twenty feet, without, however, 
sustaining any material injury. The other was of a 
nature no less formidable. As the vessel was going 
rapidly before the wind, he was knocked overboard by 
the jib-sheet, and was not, without much difficulty, 
rescued from so perilous a situation, after having 
been in the water about an hour. 

In 1775, we find him the chief officer of a valuable 
brig belonging to Colonel Newton, in which, to the 
entire satisfaction of his employer, he continued to 
the spring of the following year. A period had 
now arrived that opened to his adventurous dis- 
position, prospects much more congenial and tempt- 
ing than those which arise out of the service of 
the merchant. The war of the revolution had 
commenced ; and he had too much of the feelings 
and temperament of the soldier to remain inactive. 
He is, accordingly, presented to us in the early part 
of the year 1776, engaged as lieutenant on board a 



EARLY LIFE. 37 

vessel of war, belonging to the state of Virginia, 
which was fitting out not far from City Point, near 
Norfolk. 

While in the execution of his orders to go to 
Sandy Point, in James river, in a small river craft, 
for the purpose of procuring cannon, he was captured 
by a tender belonging to the Liverpool frigate, car- 
ried to Norfolk, and put on board a prison ship, in 
which he was confined for several weeks. 

During the time he remained in this situation, he 
was visited by Bridges Gutteridge, who had been 
his schoolmate, but who had not yet declared in 
favour of the popular cause, having then the command 
of a tender in the service of the enemy. After much 
solicitation, and many plausible and seductive argu- 
ments, our young adventurer was induced to join the 
fortunes of 'his former companion and friend. In 
May (1776) they made a cruise together up the river 
Rappahannock, during which they had an engage- 
ment with several pilot boats, and were happy to 
escape, with the loss of several men killed ; young 
Dale himself being badly wounded, having received 
a musket ball in his head. He was carried to Nor- 
folk, where he was confined a long time by his 
wound. This period he improved to the salutary 
purposes of reflection, and of firmly resolving, to 
use his own words, " never again to put himself in 
the way of the balls of his country." Soon after his 
recovery, upon his return from Bermuda — whither 
he had gone with William Gutteridge — he was cap- 
tured by Captain John Barry, commander of the 
United States brig Lexington, and on the same day 
entered as a midshipman on board said brig. This 

4 



38 CAPTURE OP THE LEXINGTO.V. 

occurred in July 1776. Not long afterwards, the 
brig, whilst cruising, was struck with lightning; 
Dale, with many others, was prostrated senseless, 
upon the deck. They were all, however, providen- 
tially restored in a few minutes. Soon after this the 
brig arrived at Philadelphia. Dale still continued in 
the same vessel the command of wliich now devolved 
on Captain Hallock — Captain Barry having been ap- 
pointed to the command of a frigate. 

The Lexington sailed in the autumn of 1776 for 
Cape Frangois, and a cruise. On her return to the 
United States, in December following, she was cap- 
tured by the Liverpool frigate, otf the capes of Vir- 
ginia. In consequence of a sudden and tremendous 
gale, the captors could only take out the captain and 
five of the crew : Dale, who was then master's mate, 
beins: one of the number. The officers and crew, 
who remained on board, retook the brig and carried 
her into Baltimore. Dale was landed,with some of 
his fellow prisoners, at Cape Henlopen, in January 
1777. He immediately repaired to Philadelphia, 
which he had no sooner reached, than he was ordered 
to join the Lexington again, now commanded by 
Captain Henry Johnson. This vessel sailed from 
Baltimore for Bordeaux, in February or JNIarch, with 
despatches. Her passage was short and very suc- 
cessful, many valuable prizes being taken by her, 
without delay she proceeded to Nantz, to join the 
United States ship Reprisal, of sixteen six-pounders. 
Captain Wicks, and a cutter, commanded by Samuel 
Nicholson, carrying ten four-pounders; the three 
vessels to cruise in compaii)", under the command of 
Captain Wicks. 



ACTION WITH A BRITISH CUTTER. 39 

This little squadron sailing from Nantz on a cruise, 
in May, (1777,) took and sunk many prizes, and did 
great injury to the coasting trade of the British 
islands. In the English channel they fell in with an 
English seventy-four which gave them chase. In 
consequence of this it became necessary for the ves- 
sels of the squadron to separate. They soon after- 
wards reached French ports ; the Reprisal having 
had a very narrow escape, which was not effected 
without the loss of her guns. 

After a detention of the vessels, by the French 
government, for more than two months — for some 
cause which was never explained — young Dale sailed 
in the Lexington from Morlaix for the United States, 
on the 18th September, 1777. On the following 
morning, discovering a cutter ahead, lying by, they 
made all sail and stood directly for her. They soon 
discovered her to be an English cutter, mounting ten 
six-pounders. An action was commenced by the 
cutter, between seven and eight o'clock, A. M. ; at 
which time, such had been the extreme negligence of 
the commanders of the Lexington, in not making the 
necessary preparations for action, that there was not 
even a match ready. They were, therefore, obliged 
to fire their guns by means of their muskets, until 
matters were in a state of better preparation. The ac- 
tion became very warm. A calm succeeding, the Lex- 
ington could not get as near the enemy as was wished. 
The action was sustained for nearly two hours with 
the most determined resolution. This, considering 
the manifold and heavy disadvantages under which 
the American vessel laboured, was not a little aston- 
ishing, and must be regarded as evincive of that 



40 SECOND CAPTURE OF THE LEXINGTON. 

heroic, unconquerable gallantry, which is now an 
acknowledged characteristic of American seaman. 
Being, however, much cut to pieces, with the loss of 
several brave officers and men, and having expended 
almost their last shot, the American commander 
deemed it prudent to avail himself of a breeze, which 
just then sprang up, to crowd sail and get off. In 
this he succeeded for a short time ; but, between one 
and two o'clock, P. M., the cutter overtook him. 
The action was renewed with increased obstinacy on 
both sides. Having maintained the unequal conflict 
for one hour — not only the shot of every description, 
but all the iron, and other articles which could be 
used as a substitute for shot, being expended — the 
brig reduced literally to a wreck — the first lieutenant, 
sailing-master, captain of marines, and a number of 
men being killed, and many more officers and men 
severely wounded, — no alternative was left but to 
strike their flag to the cutter. 

Notwithstanding its unsuccessful issue, we cannot 
but consider this action as reflecting lustre upon the 
American name ; particularly when we take into view, 
the great superiority in the crew of the cutter, which 
not only exceeded that of the Lexington in numbers, 
but consisted entirely of picked men. Of the Lex- 
ington, on the other hand, both the officers and crew 
were without experience, but few of them having ever 
been in an engagement before. 

About three or four days after this action, the sur- 
viving ofllcers and crew of the Lexington arrived in 
Plymouth. The former underwent a rigorous ex- 
amination before twelve judges, the object of which 
was to ascertain to w^hat country they belonged. 



DALE IN PRISON. 41 

Both officers and men were committed to Mill prison, 
upon a charge of high treason. In this loathsome 
abode, they were subjected to a most cruel and severe 
confinement. They were exposed, moreover, to 
every indignity which was thought due to men con- 
sidered as rebels, and suifered every privation that 
could embitter the loss of liberty, or add to the pain 
and mortification so intolerable to their high and 
patriotic spirits, of being rendered useless to their 
country, at this most interesting and momentous crisis. 
In this situation they remained four or five months, 
when, in consequence of a general complaint respect- 
ing the treatment of American prisoners, and of the 
sympathy which their sufferings had excited even in 
the hearts of their enemies, the sum of sixteen or 
seventeen thousand pounds sterling, was subscribed 
for the benefit of these unfortunate men. The sub- 
scribers appointed a committee to inquire into the 
matter, who, with the sanction of the government, 
visited the prison, supplied the Americans with money, 
provisions, and clothing ; in short, with every thing 
that could alleviate their sufl^erings, and render their 
condition supportable. It is gratifying to record 
such acts of disinterested philanthropy : they dignify 
and ennoble our nature, and are worthy of universal 
imitation. Notwithstanding their situation was thus 
rendered as comfortable as a state of confinement 
could be, they were determined upon attempting an 
escape. Captain Johnson having communicated his 
plan to young Dale, and every arrangement having 
been made, they effected their purpose at night, in the 
month of February, 1778. After wandering about 
for more than a week, encountering every difficulty, 
F 4* 



42 ESCAPES TO FRANCE. 

and suffering still more severe privations, they deter- 
mined, as the best means of avoiding detection, to 
divide their company and pursue different courses. 
After a variety of adventures, Dale and his com- 
panions reached London, and immediately embarked 
on board a trading vessel bound to Dunkirk. The 
tide being ahead they could not proceed far. On the 
same day, while at anchor, an officer, with a press 
gang came on board, and arrested them on suspicion of 
being prisoners from Mill prison. The following day 
they underwent an examination, after which they were 
re-committed to the same prison from w^hich they had 
escaped. Here, for forty days, they were confined in a 
dungeon, appropriately denominated the " black hole." 
After the expiration of this term, they were restored to 
the more enlarged liberty of the prison, but not to all 
those privileges and indulgences w^hich had formerly 
rendered their situation comparatively comfortable. 

About three months afterwards. Dale was again 
committed to the " black hole," for singing what were 
termed rebellious songs. In February 1779, he 
again escaped from prison, repaired without delay to 
London, where, by fortunate management and ad- 
dress, he procured a passport from the proper autho- 
rity to go to France. In a very short time he ar- 
rived at L' Orient, where he joined, in the character 
of master's mate, the renowned Paul Jones, then 
commanding the American ship " Bon-Homme Rich- 
ard." We have nov/ reached a most interesting 
epoch in the life of our adventurer. He had hitherto 
acted in a very subordinate capacity, contending with 
difficulties the most discouraging, and adversities that 
would have subdued to despondency, a spirit less 



DALE APPOINTED FIRST LIEUTENANT. 43 

resolute and inflexible than his. His bosom now 
beat high with exultation at the opening of brighter 
prospects. He beheld in the character of his com- 
mander, a pledge of happier fortunes, and enjoyed, 
in anticipation, a brilliant career of glory. After 
three months of unremitting employment, in manning 
the Bon-Homme Richard, in which great difficulty 
was experienced. Dale was selected by the discrimi- 
nating eye of Captain Jones, to be his first lieutenant. 
This mark of approbation, from one who was so 
good a judge of merit, and knew so well how to ap- 
preciate it, gratified his ambition, and encouraged 
and animated his hopes of fame. 

The Bon-Homme Richard sailed on a cruise about 
the latter end of July 1779, in company with the 
Alliance of thirty-six guns, the Pallas of thirty-two 
guns, the brig Revenge of sixteen guns, and a cutter 
of ten guns — all under the command of Paul Jones. 
They cruised very successfully for some time off the 
coast of Ireland, when, upon consultation with the 
different commanders, except Captain Landais, of the 
Alliance, who, on account of some misunderstanding, 
declined any communication with Captain Jones, it 
was determined to proceed to the North sea with the 
Bon-Homme Richard, the Pallas, and the Revenge. 
The town of Leith being marked out as the first 
object of attack, every preparation was made to set 
fire to it, unless the extremity should be prevented by 
a compliance with their terms — to wit, a ransom of 
two hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling. 
Fortunately for the town, when they were within a 
short distance of it, a violent gale sprung up from 
W. S. W., which obliged them to run down the 



44 CRUISE ON THE COAST OF SCOTLAND. 

Firth, and go to sea. Two or three days afterwards, 
when off North Shiekis, every thing was prepared to 
burn the shipping, and the harbour, but the captains of 
the Pallas and Revenge, thinking the adventure too 
hazardous, it was abandoned. 

Since the commencement of their cruise, they had 
taken imd destroyed many vaUiable vessels, and 
proved a most serious annoyance to the enemy's trade. 

We come now to the most prominent circumstance 
in the life of our subject. — We allude to the engage- 
ment between the Bon-Homme Richard and the Se- 
rapis, an English forty-four — an engagement which 
was certainly one of the most interesting ever fought ; 
and for deeds of gallant intrepidity, and noble daring, 
is not surpassed, if equalled, by any in the annals of 
naval history. Having given Jones's own account 
of this battle in the previous article, we shall here 
notice it more brietly. 

On the nineteenth of September, 1779, the Bon- 
Homrae Richard, the Alliance, the Pallas, and the 
Revenge, being off Flamborough head; on the north 
east coast of England, a fleet of several hundred ves- 
sels was descried. The Alliance joined the squadron 
that afternoon, not having been seen before since she 
parted company off Ireland. Her captain refused 
obedience to the signals from the Bon-Homme Rich- 
ard, during the chase, and repeatedly fired into the 
Bon-Homme Richard during the action. The Re- 
venge took no part in the action. The chase was 
discovered to be the Baltic fleet, homeward bound, 
under convoy of the Serapis, of forty-four, and the 
Countess of Scarborough of twenty guns. The 
commander of the Serapis made a signal for the 



ACTION WITH THE SERAPIS. 45 

merchant ships to stand in for the shore. After some 
manoeuvring on the part of the enemy, which did not 
evince a disposition to court an engagement, the Bon- 
Ilomme Richard brought the Serapis to close action : 
about the same time Captain Cottineau, of the Pallas, 
engaged the Countess of Scarborough. About ten 
P. M., the bowsprit of the Serapis got foul of the 
mizen rigging of the Bon-Homme Richard. While 
in this situation, the two ships were laslied together, 
the starboard bow of the former to the starboard 
quarter of the latter. A boarding party from the 
Serapis attempted to board. The officer who headed 
the boarders, and many men, having been killed, the 
rest fell back. The action now became very warm. 
The Serapis let go her anchor, expecting that the 
two ships would clear each other. She then brought 
up with her head to the wind — the Bon-Homme 
Richard with her stern to the wind alongside of each 
other. They remained in that situation till the Sera- 
pis struck her colours, which was done about twelve 
o'clock at night. 

Properly to appreciate this splendid victory, we 
must take into view the great superiority of the enemy 
in the strength of his vessel, the number of his guns, 
the weight of his metal, and the amount of his crew; 
add to this the disadvantages under which the action 
was sustained for a very considerable time on the 
part of the Bon-Homme Richard. 

The Serapis was what is denominated a double 
decked forty-four gun ship — she showed two rows 
of ports. She was almost a new vessel, and, in 
every respect, one of the finest, or, to speak more 
technically, one of the warmest frigates of her class. 



46 FORCE OF THE SHIPS. 

The Bon-Homme Richard was an old ship, having 
made many voyages to the East Indies, for which 
trade she w^as originally designed. On the score of 
tonnage both vessels were about equal. 

The Serapis, though rated a forty-four, mounted a 
greater number of guns ; she carried twenty eighteen 
pounders on her lower deck, twenty-two nine 
pounders on her upper deck, and sixes on her quarter 
deck and forecastle — the precise number we are un- 
able to state. The Bon-Homme Richard carried forty- 
two guns — six eighteen-pounders on her lower deck, 
twenty-eight twelves on her upper deck, and eight 
nines on her quarter deck and forecastle. With re- 
spect to the crews of the ships, they nominally, were 
equal; but from that of the Bon-Homme Richard 
there had been sent previously to the action, several 
detachments to man prizes. Besides this, just before 
discovering the Baltic lleet, a second lieutenant, a 
midshipman, and six men, were despatched in a pilot 
boat to take some small vessels that were in 
sight; these did not return till after the action ; so 
that the crew^ was considerably reduced ; and there 
■was left on board but one lieutenant, and a verv 
inadequate number of subordinate officers. The crew 
of this ship, moreover, was a heterogeneous com- 
pound of Americans, and natives, and subjects of al- 
most all the European nations — so that in conversa- 
tion many of them could not understand each other. 

Besides these oriirinal disadvantajres, there were 
others of a more alarming nature, which were the 
consequence of accident during the battle, or of 
damage received from the enemy, under which, how- 
ever, the bloody conflict was maintained for one hour. 



SIMKirs'G CONDITIOrs^ OF THE RICHARD. 47 

Two of the eighteen pounders on the lower deck 
burst the first fire, and did considerable damage ; 
they blew up part of the upper gun-deck. The guns 
in that direction were no longer serviceable. Many 
men were killed and wounded by the accident. 
About an hour before the enemy struck their colours, 
it was reported and believed on board the Bon- 
Homme Richard, that she w^as sinking. So great 
was the consequent alarm that the master at arms 
let loose all the prisoners, who had been confined in 
the after hold, that they might, in the general eflfort 
to preserve life, take care of themselves. They be- 
came exceedingly terrified, and occasioned much 
confusion on board. The pumps were constantly at 
work. The carpenter was ordered into the pump- 
W'cll to ascertain the depth of w-ater in the ship. 
His report was, that it was up to his chin. Lieute- 
nant Dale was then ordered down to the lower deck, 
to see how near the water was to the lower ports. 
To allay the excessive alarm, he reported that he did 
not perceive that she had settled much in the water. 
At this critical juncture, one of the captains, who bad 
been left out of confinement jumped on board the 
Serapis, and informed her captain, that if he would 
hold out a little longer the American ship must strike 
or sink ; adding, that in order to give them a chance 
for their lives, all the prisoners had been released. 
At this dreadful and critical moment, moreover, the 
action on the part of the American ship was com- 
pletely at a stand, in consequence of the communica- 
tion with the magazine being stopped. The sentinels 
w^ho were placed in the passage leading to the maga- 
zine, seeing many strange faces, deemed it prudent to 



,48 PRISONERS RELEASED. 

bar all access to it. Lieutenant Dale went below to 
ascertain the cause of withholding the powder. He 
now, for the first time, knew that the prisoners had 
been let out. Having explained the matter to the 
sentinels, and taken the proper precautions against a 
recurrence of the difficulty he returned to the deck. 
By this time the contest was reduced to three guns on 
the enemy's lower deck, and three on the quarter 
deck of the Bon-Homme Richard. 

About this period a circumstance occurred, which, 
as it is characteristic of Captain Jones, may be worthy 
of notice. The surgeon of the ship came up from the 
cock-pit in great apprehension, and asked the Captain 
if he would not strike, as the vessel was sinking? 
"What! doctor," said Jones, "would you have me 
strike to a drop of water ? Here, help me get this 
gun over." The doctor, however, not caring to 
step beyond the sphere of his immediate duty, soon 
found his way back to the cock-pit. 

Our readers will, no doubt, inquire after the fate 
of the other vessels originally in company with the 
Bon-Homme Richard. It will be recollected that the 
Pallas engaged the Countess of Scarborough. The 
action was maintained for some time with great spirit. 
Victory, at length, declared in favour of the Pallas, 
the American ship. It is with pain that we take any 
notice of Captain Landais, of the Alliance ; but his 
conduct is a necessary link in the chain of our narra- 
tive. Besides, a statement of it is necessary to account 
for the comparatively unfavourable result of the 
engagement — unfavourable so far as regards the dis- 
appointment of the hopes of the American officers, of 
taking or destroying the whole of the convoy. 



TREACHERY OF LANDAIS. 49 

Landais paid no regard to the signals from the Bon- 
Homme Richard during the chase and action; but 
at the commencement of the action the Alliance took 
her station between the Serapis and Bon-Homme 
Richard, and the Countess of Scarborough and Pal- 
las. In this situation she remained perfectly inactive 
and aloof from danger, until the Countess of Scar- 
borough struck to the Pallas; whereupon, Landais 
made sail for the Pallas, to know what ship she had 
taken, and also to ascertain what ship was engaged 
with the Bon-Homme Richard. Upon receiving the 
information sought for, he made sail towards the 
latter ship, with the intention, as he afterwards said, 
of assisting her. It was not long, however, before he 
reached her; and when he did, he was hailed and 
ordered to lay the Serapis aboard on the larboard 
side — but, notwithstanding the night signals were 
made, and the night was sufficiently light to discover 
the relative situation of the two ships — disregarding 
his orders, he fired a broadside into the Bon-Homme 
Richard, which killed her master's mate, boatswain's 
mate, and wounded many of her men, without doing 
any injury to the enemy. After this Landais stood 
some distance on his course, and then tacking, ran 
down athwart the stern of the Serapis, and the Bon- 
Homme Richard's bows, and fired another broadside, 
which raked both ships. 

Shortly after this, the Serapis struck her colours. 
Lieutenant Dale swung, by means of a rope, from 
the deck of the Bon-Homme Richard to that of the 
Serapis. He was the first on board, and was follow- 
ed by a midshipman and several men. There was 
but one man on the deck of the Serapis at this time ; 
G 5 



50 DALE WOUNDED. 

the rest were below. Those on the upper gun-deck, 
not knowing that tlicir Hag was struck, made a feeble 
resistance, which was soon overcome, and quiet pos- 
session taken of the ship. 

The condition of the ships was such as might be 
expected from the length and sanguinary obstinacy 
of the engagement. They had been lying nearly two 
hours alongside of each other, at such close quarters, 
that in loading the guns, the rammers touched the 
side, or were protruded into the port-holes of the 
other ship. The wadding lodged in the rigging and 
hulls ; and, at times, both vessels were literally en- 
veloped in flames. 

During the action one of the men in the main-top 
of the Bon-Hommc Ilichard, ventured out on the 
main-yard, which passed directly over the main- 
hatchway of the Serapis, and dropped some hand- 
grenades into her. These coming in contact with 
some cartridges which had been left on the decks, the 
whole exploded, and the consequences were most 
destructive, very few of those who were near escaping 
unhurt. 

Lieutenant Dale, after taking possession of the 
ship, found himself deprived of the use of one of his 
legs, in consequence of a severe wound which he had 
received in the ancle, but which he had scarcely felt 
during the bustle of the engagement. On board the 
Bon-Homme Ilichard there were forty-nine killed, and 
sixty-seven wounded ; many of the latter having lost 
their arms and legs. According to the accounts of 
the officers of the Serapis, at the time, her amount 
of killed and wounded were precisely the same. 

The Bon-Homme Richard being in a very shattered 



DALE IN FRANCE. 51 

condition, and it being impossible to free her of water, 
it was thought best to abandon her. Her crew was 
accordingly removed to the Serapis. She sunk the 
next day. The rest of the squadron sailed for the 
Texel, where they arrived in eight or ten days. 
Here Captain Jones took the command of the Al- 
liance, Landais having been ordered to proceed to 
Paris, and thence to America to stand a trial for his 
extraordinary conduct during the cruise and action. 
The captain of the Pallas took command of the 
Serapis. The Alliance sailed from the Texel, in 
January 1780, on a cruise, and arrived at L' Orient 
in the following March. Jones went to Paris; — 
Landais, who arrived at L' Orient in his absence, 
availed himself of this opportunity to attempt a re- 
covery of the command of the Alliance. By tamper- 
ing with many of the officers who had served with 
him, and aided by the influence of Arthur Lee, one 
of our public functionaries at the French Court, who 
was not well disposed towards Jones, he succeeded 
in attaining his object. Landais endeavoured to pre- 
vail upon Lieutenant Dale to join him. But he 
remained faithful to his commander, refusing to ac- 
knowledge the authority of Landais, and avowed him- 
self willing and anxious to attempt the recovery of 
the ship, even at the hazard of his life. The King 
of France authorised Jones to use the guns of the 
fort to stop the Alliance. He did not, however, avail 
himself of this authority, as he was unwilling to 
hazard the serious consequences that would have 
ensued to the shij) and her crew. The Alliance 
sailed for America in July. 

The King accommodated Jones with the Ariel, a 



62 DALE ON THE DELAWARE. 

British twenty-gun ship that had been captured by a 
French frigate. After some time spent in manning 
her, and preparing her for sea, they sailed for America 
in October. They had not proceeded far, when they 
were reduced to the greatest extremity of distress, in 
consequence of a tremendous gale. They were 
obliged to return to port, where they refitted, and 
sailing again for America about the 1st of January, 
1781, arrived at Philadelphia on the eighteenth of 
February following. In May 1781, the bay of Dela- 
ware was much infested by the refugees, who inter- 
cepted supplies going to Philadelphia. The schooners 
belonging to the state were armed and manned from 
the Ariel, Lieutenant Dale was ordered by Jones to 
proceed with them down the bay, to disperse these 
marauders, and convoy the public stores to the city. 
This service was successfully executed. 

About this time Jones was appointed to the com- 
mand of a seventy-four, then building to the north- 
ward. He solicited Lieutenant Dale to go with him ; 
a proposal which he declined, thinking it would be a 
long time before she would be ready for sea. 

In June, Lieutenant Dale was appointed to the 
Trumbull frigate, of thirty-two guns, commanded by 
captain James Nicholson. That vessel sailed from 
the Capes of Delaware, some time in July 1781. 
She had been out but a few hours, when she fell in 
with a British frigate and sloop of war. They gave 
chase to the Trumbull. The latter had her fore-top- 
mast and forc-topgallant-mast carried away in the 
chase, and was otherwise much crippled in her sails 
and rigging. The night being exceedingly dark and 
stormy, Captain Nicholson supposed he might elude 



IN THE MERCHANT SERVICE. 53 

the enemy by putting his ship about before the wind ; 
this was done — but he had not proceeded far before 
he found his ship immediately alongside of the enemy, 
who seemed ta have anticipated this manoeuvre. So 
great was the surprise, that the Trumbull was en- 
tirely unprepared — the men not at their quarters, and 
it was with great difficulty that they could man even a 
few of their guns. Under these circumstances, having 
been so much crippled by the gale, and the enemy's 
force being so vastly superior, the Trumbull struck 
her colours, after a spirited but short resistance. 
Lieutenant Dale was wounded in this rencontre. 

The second day after this he arrived at New York, 
a prisoner, and was put on parole at Long Island ; he 
was soon afterwards exchanged, and returned to Phi- 
ladelphia, in November 178L 

The government having no immediate occasion for 
his services, he engaged in the merchant service ; 
having no relish for an inactive life. He entered on 
board the Queen of France, a large ship mounting 
twelve sixes — first, as chief officer, afterwards as 
captain. In the latter capacity he sailed in the spring 
of 1782, for L' Orient, in company with a formidable 
squadron of letters of marque. During the voyage 
they made many valuable prizes. The Queen of 
France having separated from the rest of the squad- 
ron fell in with a British privateer brig, mounting four- 
teen sixes. A severe conflict ensued in which both 
vessels sustained very serious damage. They parted 
by mutual consent. Captain Dale returned to Phila- 
delphia, in February 1783. 

Upon the conclusion of peace, there was no provi- 
sion made for the navy nor its officers. Captain Dale 

5* 



54 CAPTAIN OF THE GANGES. 

became interested in a large ship in the London trade 
in the command of which he sailed for London, in 
December 1783. From this period to May, 1790, 
we find him, unremittingly and lucratively employed 
in the East India trade in which he commanded se- 
veral of the finest ships engaged in that employ. In 
September 1791, he married, and until June 1794, 
continued engaged in the merchant service. 

About the latter period, the government appointed 
six captains for the naval establishment, for which 
provision had just been made. Captain Dale was 
one of them, and the fourth in rank. He was ap- 
pointed to superintend the building of a frigate of the 
first class, at Norfolk. The government, however, 
afterwards deferred building her. He immediately 
obtained a furlough, and sailed in the command of a 
valuable ship for Canton. He continued industriously 
engaged in this trade till May 1798, when he com- 
manded the ship Ganges. xA.bout this period our 
disputes with France seemed to be approaching to a 
crisis. War was generally expected. Under this 
apprehension the government purchased several large 
ships, for the purpose of converting them into men of 
war. Captain Dale was appointed to the command 
of the Ganges, one of the purchased ships. She was 
equipped for service ; mounted twenty-nine pounders, 
and had a crew of one hundred and fifty men. Soon 
after this, some misunderstanding arose with respect 
to rank : Captain Dale obtained a furlough until the 
matter could be adjusted. In May 1799, he sailed for 
Canton, in the command of the ship Canton, mounting 
twenty guns, with a crew of seventy men. He returned 
to Philadelphia, in April 1 800, and was happy to find 



DALE APPOINTED COMMODORE. 55 

that the point of rank had been settled to his entire 
satisfaction. He received orders from the navy 
department to hold himself in readiness, as employ- 
ment would soon offer. Accordingly in May 1801, 
he was appointed to the command of the squadron of 
observation, about to sail from Hampton Roads to the 
Mediterranean. On the twenty-first of May he 
hoisted his broad pendant on board the frigate Pre- 
sident. On the first of June ha sailed with the 
squadron, consisting of the following vessels: The 
President, Captain James Barron; the Philadelphia, 
Captain Samuel Barron; the Essex, Captain William 
Bainbridge; and the schooner Enterprize, Lieutenant 
Andrew Stewart. The squadron arrived at Gibral- 
tar on the first of July. They found lying there, the 
high-admiral of Tripoli, in a ship mounting twenty- 
six nines and sixes, and two hundred and sixty men; 
and a brig of sixteen guns, and one hundred and sixty 
men. He had arrived only the day before the squad- 
ron. It was very evident that the Bey of Tripoli had 
declared, or was about to declare war against the 
United States; and that it was the intention of the 
Admiral to cruise against the American vessels in the 
Western ocean although he disavowed any know- 
ledge of hostile intentions on the part of the Bey his 
master. Had the Admiral got out, he would have 
swept the ocean of the American trade, which at that 
time was very active in those seas. It became an 
object of primary importance to prevent his escape 
and for this purpose Captain Samuel Barron, of the 
Philadelphia frigate, was ordered by the Commodore 
to lie off Gibraltar, in order to watch the movements 
of the Admiral, and if he ventured out, to capture him 



96 DALE BLOCKADES TRIPOLL 

Despairing of eluding the vigilance of the blockading 
squadron, the Admiral very soon dismantled his ves- 
sels and discharged his crews; and thus one consider- 
able means of annoyance was, to all useful purposes, 
destroyed. 

The hostile intentions of the Bey w^ere placed be- 
yond a doubt, by authentic information obtained in 
the Mediterranean. 

After distributing the other vessels of the squadron, 
in ditferent directions, wherever their protection was 
most needed by the American trade, the Commodore 
repaired to Tripoli — arriving olT that place in July. 
He opened a correspondence w^ith the Bey, without 
producing any satisfactory results. A strict blockade 
of the port was kept up for some time. 

Nothing could have been more opportune than the 
arrival of the squadron in the INIediterranean at that 
time, as the Tripolitan corsairs had been ordered to 
capture all American vessels they should fall in with. 
So efficient was the protection given to the American 
trade, by the vigilance and exertions of every officer 
of the squadron, that not a single capture was made. 

In March 1802, the Commodore sailed for the 
United States, and arrived in Hampton Roads in 
April following. In the fall of 1802, he received an 
order from the Navy Department to hold himself in 
readiness to take command of the squadron which 
was to sail in the following spring for the Mediter- 
ranean. In the order, he w^as informed that he could 
not have a captain under him, as he had before. 
However sensible of the honor conferred upon him, 
in thus selecting him the second time for so important 
a command, he did not hesitate to dechne the appoint- 



DEATH OF COMMODORE DALE. 57 

ment. A proper regard for the honour of his country, 
and for his own character, would not permit him to 
return to the command in a less dignified station than 
he had enjoyed before. The alternative was pre- 
sented, of accepting, under such humiliating terms, or 
resignation. The Commodore did not hesitate to 
choose the latter, particularly as there w^e captains 
out of employ who were anxious for the appointment. 

Commodore Dale now relinquished his profession : 
but at a proper period he devoted his two sons to the 
naval service of his country, for which he still retained 
the liveliest interest. He entered into full commu- 
nion with the Protestant Episcopal Church many 
years previous to his death, and in this relation sus- 
tained the character of a consistent Christian. He 
originated a Mariners' Church in Philadelphia, and 
for a number of years attended it in person every 
Sunday afternoon. His purse was ever open to aid 
the needy ; and much of his time was devoted to the 
bestowment of charity ; and he extended, particularly, 
a generous care over mariners, which was not confined 
to the interests of this life. 

The close of Dale's life was calm and happy ; and 
although he was called to weep the loss of his eldest 
son, who received his death wounds on the President, 
in an action with a British squadron, — yet with the 
fortitude of a Christian and a patriot he could bear 
the afflictions, for he had devoted the youth to his 
country's service. Dale expired at Philadelphia, on 
the 26th of February, 1826, in peace with God and 
man. 

Commodore Dale had several children, of whom 

three sons lived to the age of manhood. The eldest 
H 



58 CHARACTER OF DALE. 

fell a midshipman, on board the President; the second 
is now a commander in the navy ; the youngest is a 
merchant of Philadelphia. Of his two daughters, the 
elder was married to Judge Pettit and is since deceas- 
ed; and the younger is the wife of Commodore Read. 

The character of Commodore Dale is thus de- 
scribed by- Mr. Cooper : — 

" In considering the character of Dale, we are 
struck with its simple modesty and frank sincerity, 
quite as much as with its more brilliant qualities. 
His courage and constancy were of the highest order, 
rendering him always equal to the most critical duties, 
and never wearying in their performance. Such a 
man is perfectly free from all exaggeration. As he 
was not afraid to act when his cooler judgment ap- 
proved, he had no distrusts to overcome ere he could 
forbear, as prudence dictated. Jones found him a 
man ready and willing to second all his boldest and 
most hazardous attempts, so long as reason showed 
the probabilities of success ; but the deed done, none 
more thoroughly stripped it of all false colouring, or 
viewed it in a truer light than he who had risked his 
life in aiding to achieve it. 

*' The person of Dale was in harmony with his 
moral qualities. It was manly, seaman-like, and of 
singularly respectable bearing. Simplicity, good faith, 
truth and courage were imprinted on his countenance, 
which all who were thrown into his company soon 
discovered was no more than the mirror of his mind. 
The navy has had more brilliant intellects, officers 
of profounder mental attainments, and of higher 
natural gifts, but it has had few leaders of cooler 
judgment, sounder discretion, more inflexible justice, 



CHARACTER OF DALE. 



59 



or indomitable resolution. He was of a nature, an 
experience, and a professional skill to command re- 
spect and to inspire confidence, — tributes that were 
cheerfully paid by all who served under his orders. 
The writer of this article has had extensive opportu- 
nities of hearing character discussed among the sea- 
officers of his country; few escape criticism, of some 
sort or other, for their professional acts, and fewer 
still as men ; yet he cannot recall a single instance in 
which he has ever heard a whisper of complaint 
against the public or private career of Richard Dale. 
This total exemption from the usual fortunes of the 
race, may, in part, be owing to the shortness of the 
latter' s service in the present marine, and to the limited 
acquaintance of his contemparies ; but it is difficult to 
believe that it is not chiefly to be ascribed to the 
thoroughly seaman-like character of the officer, and 
to the perfect truth and sterling probity of the man." 





ALEXANDEK MURRAY. 

OMMODORE Alex- 
ander Murray, was 
born in Chestertown, 
Maryland, on the l;2th 
day of July, 1755, of 
honest and respectable 
parents. From early 
life he was devoted to 
the watery element ; 
and, at the age of eigh- 
teen, commanded a vessel in the European trade. 
The revolution shortly after breaking out, zealously 

60 




MURRAY LEAVES THE ARMY. 61 

attached to the cause of his country, he; forsook the 
merchant service, and was appointed a lieutenant in 
the First Maryland regiment, commanded by Colonel 
Smallvvood. He had previously received an appoint- 
ment to the same station in the navy, but as we had 
no frigate then in service, Ik; entered the army. He 
took an early and conspicuous part in the hard- 
fought battles that ensued at Whiteplains, Flatbush, 
York, «!^c. 

His sense of hearing was mucli impaired by the 
explosion of sundry pieces of cannon, on the New 
York battery, while firing at the enemy's fieet, on 
their passage up the North rivers At tlui close of 
this campaign he was severely alllicted by chronic 
complaints, and was compelled to retire, soon after 
having been appointed to the rank of c;i|)tjiin in the 
second regiment. At this time two hundred ellective 
men only returned, out of nine hundred that marched 
from Annapolis; the rest having been cither killed, or 
taken, or having fallen victims to the maladi(!S of the 
camp. On the re-establishment of his luiallh. Captain 
Murray resumed his rank in the navy. As there 
were no public ships ready for service, he was ap- 
pointed, at various times, to command sundry letters 
of marrpic, repeatedly })assing and repassing the 
enemy's fleet, and seldom escaping without a battle. 
One of these engagements is worthy of record : — 
Having l>cen appointed to the command of the lle- 
venge, a letter of marcjue, carrying eighteen six- 
pounders, with a complement of fifty men only, he 
sailed from Baltimore for Holland. He had the chief 
command of all the vessels then lying at that port, 
bound on foreign voyages, some of which were well 



62 MURRAY'S CONVOY OF A FLEET. 

armed. Meeting with the enemy's force much supe- 
rior, he was compelled to return with his fleet, con- 
sisting of forty vessels, and to seek refuge in the river 
Patuxent. The number afterwards increased to 
about fifty sail; the commanders of which all agreed 
to fight their way through the opposing squadron. 
With this determination they put to sea, when a fleet 
of privateers hove in sight. A signal was made for 
all the unarmed vessels to return, and for the remain- 
der to rally round their commander. The enemy's 
fleet, consisting of one ship of eighteen guns, one brig 
of sixteen, and three privateer schooners, stood for 
the body of the fleet. One brig and one schooner 
only obeyed Captain Murray's signal to rally. He 
soon discovered himself lying between the ship and 
the brig, when a severe engagement ensued ; Captain 
Murray kept up an incessant fire from both broad- 
sides, and in an hour's time had the satisfaction to 
see his enemies haul off, after having sustained much 
damage. The brig and the schooner likewise behaved 
extremely well, and repelled the assaults of their 
adversaries. Captain Murray, after this action, re- 
turned to Hampton Roads to refit; his sails and rig- 
ging were much injured, but fortunately no lives were 
lost; few only were wounded, himself amongst the 
number. 

After Captain Murray had repaired his vessel, he 
sailed for the banks of Newfoundland, and was unfor- 
tunately overtaken and surrounded by an English 
fleet, of one hundred and fifty men of war and trans- 
ports, bound to New York. He was pursued and 
captured by a frigate. The captain and lieutenant 
were his intimate friends, from whom he received 



BATTLE OF TRUMBULL AND WYATT. 63 

every kindness and attention. He at last arrived in 
Philadelphia, where he was regularly exchanged. 

The United States' frigate Trumbull, of thirty-two 
guns, commanded by his gallant friend and relation, 
the late Captain Nicholson, was then ready for ser- 
vice. This officer had before distinguished himself, 
in a very severe engagement off New York, with a 
British ship of war called the Wyatt. She was 
manned with a picked crew, and sent expressly to 
take the Trumbull. The action continued for two 
hours ; both ships received much ii/'; -.ry, and a dread- 
ful carnage ensued. The British ship hauled off, and 
was towed into New York. The captain being asked 
the name of the Trumbull's commander, replied, that 
he must be either Paul Jones or the Devil — for never 
was a ship fought before with such frantic despera- 
tion. Captain Nicholson likewise put into port to 
repair; and when he sailed on his second cruise, 
Captain Murray volunteered his services as a lieute- 
nant ; and he had the pleasure of finding his gallant 
friend, the late Commodore Dale, one of the lieu- 
tenants on board likewise. In the midst of a violent 
gale, accompanied by thunder and lightning, the 
Trumbull lost her fore-topmast. When the storm 
abated, the crew discovered themselves to be close 
on board an English frigate. All hands, were, never- 
theless, called to their quarters, and a dreadful action 
ensued. At the time when the enemy's fire began to 
slacken, it was discovered that most of the battle- 
lanterns were extinguished, and that the crew had 
fled from their stations. A second English ship was 
laid along the stern of the Trumbull, which poured 
in her raking broadsides, and put an end to the action. 



64 REPULSE OF A BRITISH PRIVATEER. 

Two of the lieutenants, with Lieutenant Murray, 
were severely wounded ; and one-third of the crew 
were either killed or disabled. The Trumbull was 
the next day towed into New York, without a mast 
standing, and several of her gun-ports beat into one. 

After Captain Murray had recovered from his 
wounds, he repaired to Baltimore, where he was fur- 
nished with another fine brig, a letter of marque. 
As he was unable to procure a complement of men 
and guns, he took a cargo of tobacco, and went on an 
intended voyage to St. Croix. When he sailed from 
Hampton Roads he had only five six-pounders on 
board, and the crew amounted to no more than twenty- 
five men. A privateer of fourteen guns, and one 
hundred men, came alongside, by superior sailing, 
and lay fast on his quarter. The five guns were 
brought to bear, and the privateer was repelled. 
Perceiving Captain Murray's weakness, the attack 
was renewed with redoubled fury, while his own guns 
were perpetually shifted from side to side, as occasion 
demanded. In attempting to board, the privateer 
was again driven back, but succeeded in carrying 
away the masts, leaving not a stick of timber stand- 
ing but the mainmast and the stump of the bowsprit. 
A final and desperate attempt was at length made to 
board, but the crew of the privateer, with the loss of 
half their number, were again repulsed. This action 
continued for two hours. Captain Murray, after 
much hazard, arrived in safety at St. Thomas, where 
he made sale of his cargo. 

Having refitted at this place, he captured a British 
packet by stratagem, in the Gulf of Florida, without 
firing a gun, and brought his prize into the Havanna. 



MIRANDA'S EXPEDITION. 65 

An embargo was laid at this port in consequence of 
an expedition then fitting out against the Bahama 
islands, in which he obtained a command. Several 
other American vessels, lying in port, were armed 
and attached to this expedition, which set sail 
with a large fleet of Spanish transports, carrying five 
thousand men, under the American flag. Captain 
Murray arrived off new Providence, and the wind 
blowing hard, no alternative was left but either to 
attack a fort well mounted with heavy ordnance, or to 
be driven on shore by the violence of the gale. The 
former of these alternatives he adopted, and entering 
the port, summoned the fort to surrender. This was 
immediately done, and the Spanish flag waved triumph- 
antly on the ramparts. 

The Governor and his aid, (since the noted General 
Miranda,) who both sailed on board Captain Mur- 
ray's ship, were engaged in forming the terms of 
capitulation. It was in vain suggested to Miranda, 
by the subject of the present memoir, that an uncon- 
ditional surrender might be obtained, as the principal 
forts were then in their possession. Miranda, then 
a captain of the Spanish grenadiers, mortified at the 
thought that the Americans should have so large a 
share in the glory of the enterprise, made shameful 
and disgraceful terms of capitulation. 

A controversy with Miranda ensued, which ended 
in a formal challenge on the part of Captain Murray. 
That officer, believing, with Falstaff", that " the better 
part of valour was discretion," refused to answer the 
call. 

Captain Murray, after a successful voyage, arrived 
at Baltimore, and was ordered on board the Alliance 
I 6* 



66 FRENCH WAR. 

frigate, as first lieutenant, under tlie command of his 
old friend, the gallant Commodore Barry. Peace, 
in a short time, ensued between the United States 
and England ; and after the ratification was signed, 
Captain Murray was the last officer who held a com- 
mission in the Naval service. He had been in thirteen 
battles in the army and navy, was frequently wounded, 
and often taken prisoner; which was the only thing 
that ever withdrew him, for a moment, from active 
and honourable engagement in the service. During 
the administration of President Adams, at the com- 
mencement of our hostilities with France, the name 
of Captain Murray was found amongst the first offi- 
cers appointed in the navy. He repaired to Balti- 
more, and took the command of the United States' 
ship Montezuma, of twenty-four guns; cruised for 
eight months along the whole range of the West 
India islands, and convoyed nearly one hundred sail 
to the different ports of the United States, without 
the loss of a single vessel. Returning, he arrived at 
the Delaware, received the public thanks of the Pre- 
sident, and was ordered to the command of the In 
surgent. With a crew of three hundred and twenty 
men he repaired on board of this ship, and sailed 
under a roving commission. Understanding that the 
French frigate Ambuscade was in the neighbourhood 
of the West India islands, he cruised there for several 
weeks, and put into the port of Lisbon to recruit his 
provisions. 

He next proceeded, in company with the British 
frigate Phaeton, on board of which were Lord Elgin 
and suite, in quest of two French frigates, reported 
to be cruising off Cape St. Vincent, with whom he 



CRUISE IN THE WEST INDIES. 67 

sailed until her arrival at the Straits of Gibraltar. 
He then blockaded two large French corvettes in the 
bay of Cadiz ; but hearing that a number of American 
vessels were watched by French privateers at Alge- 
ziras, he repaired to Gibraltar for information. Here 
Admiral Duckworth was anchored with a fleet of 
several ships of the line, from whom he received 
every testimonial of civility and kindness. He next 
cruised off Madeira and the Canary isles ; but never 
obtained a sight of the enemy, the two corvettes ex- 
cepted. 

Receiving information that the French frigate 
Volunteer, of forty-four guns, was cruising off 
Cayenne, he arrived at that port, where he under- 
stood she had sailed for Guadaloupe. At length he 
discovered this frigate, of which he had been so long 
in chase, at Point Petre, where he blockaded her 
until all his provisions were consumed, and repaired 
to St. Christophers to recruit. On returning to re- 
new the blockade, he fell in company with the Con- 
stellation, and learnt from the gallant Truxton that 
the frigate was the Vengeance. The particulars of 
that memorable battle are too well known to require a 
specific detail. The Constellation, then in a crippled 
state, and the Insurgent, sailed in company to Jamaica, 
for the purpose of refitting ; where the two American 
officers experienced every kindness and courtesy from 
Sir Hyde Parker, who commanded on that station. 

Captain Murray received orders from Havanna to 
return to America. Meeting with strong and heavy 
gales, and a lee current, the ship sustained much in- 
jury, and it was with the greatest difficulty that she 
was brought into Baltimore ; thus terminating a cruise 



68 COMMANDS THE CONSTITUTION. 

of nine months, never longer than a week m one port, 
and his ship almost reduced to a wreck — the bolts and 
nails starting from her decks and sides in every gale. 

Scarcely had he time to visit his family at Norfolk 
before he received orders to take the command of 
the Constellation, Commodore Truxton having been 
transferred to the President. His first cruise was 
for the Leeward islands, where he relieved Captain 
Talbot, of the Constitution, off Cape Franpais. He 
had several sloops of war, brigs, &c., under his com- 
mand; and such were his arrangements, that our 
trade in that quarter was effectually protected — not a 
single capture having been made by the French 
cruisers. 

While sailing in quest of the French frigate Ven- 
geance, after the action with Commodore Truxton, 
he received information of her capture by the English. 
He was afterwards relieved by Captain Sevier, in the 
frigate Congress, and set out on his return to the Dela- 
ware. Passing through the Bahama Straits, he 
stopped at the Havanna, to convoy some American 
vessels, and was introduced to the Viceroy of Mexico 
and his lady, on their route to Spain, by whom he 
was noticed with every mark of cordial respect, par- 
ticipating in all the splendid entertainments given by 
them to the principal inhabitants of that place. His 
stores being replenished, he sailed for the Windward 
isles, and on his passage encountered a dreadful gale, 
where he had nearly foundered, and was on the eve 
of cutting away his masts, when the storm abated. 
He proceeded onward towards Guadaloupe, and fell 
in with the British frigate Magnanimie, of forty-four 
guns, in a dark night, from which a gun was fired 



INSULT TO THE AMERICAN FLAG. 69 

without the prehminary ceremony of showing a signal. 
At this moment, Captain Murray's wardroom-officers 
crowded around him, indignant at the insult offered 
to the American flag, and anxiously inquired if he 
did not intend to return the fire. He sternly ordered 
them instantly to their quarters, without deigning to 
give any other reply to their urgent interrogations. 
Disgusted, they obeyed the command, suspecting no 
very honourable motives for such haughtiness, cold- 
ness, and reserve. It requires but very little aid 
from fancy to observe by the light of the battle- 
lanterns, this little group of officers at their guns, 
bending their full, expressive, and indignant looks on 
their commander: their eyes gleaming with reproaches 
which their tongues dare not utter. From him they 
cast their eyes upon each other, and their silent 
glances, accompanied by shrugs and indignant smiles, 
emphatically expressed what opinion was prevalent. 
The captain, meanwhile maintaining a cold tranquillity 
of deportment, saw and enjoyed the scene, appearing 
perfectly unconscious of the impression which his 
orders had made. The silent interchange of thoughts 
and sensations — more eloquent, however, than all the 
powers of language — lasted for some time. Not a 
word was spoken — all was attention and dumb re- 
sentment. These officers, at length, to their astonish- 
ment and delight, received orders from their com- 
mander to return the salute with a full broadside. 
Another train of sensations occurred, and the frowns 
of anger were exchanged for gleams of the fondest 
admiration. The orders were promptly executed, 
when an explanation ensued, and precluded further 
hostility. 



70 PEACE WITH FRANCE. 

The next day he captured a French higger, of 
eighteen guns, from which he received the first intel- 
ligence that preliminaries of peace had been signed 
between the two belligerents ; and falling in with 
Admiral Duckworth, these tidings were confirmed. 
Arriving oif Point Petre, he sent a flag of truce to 
the French commissioner, by whom he was invited 
on shore, and was received with every testimonial of 
respect. Feux de joie were fired from the forts us 
he passed, and during the two days of his residence 
at that that place, all was hilarity and mirth. He 
communicated the pacific intelligence to the other 
American commanders with whom he fell in, and 
sailed with a convoy for Philadelphia. 

The act of Congress reducing the navy was now 
passed, and the Commodore was one of the thirteen 
still retained in the service. He received orders to 
repair to the Mediterranean, to protect the American 
commerce in that quarter from the ravages of the 
Tripolitan cruisers. Commodore Truxton was ori- 
ginally destined to take the command in the Mediter- 
ranean ; his controversy with government and his re- 
signation are well known. Captain Murray, in the 
Constellation, sailed in pursuance of his orders, and 
when he arrived in the Straits, was informed by the 
British Admiral, Sir James Saumarez, that the Phila- 
delphia and Essex frigates lay at Malaga, where the 
two commanders, Bainbridge and Barron, were 
anxiously waiting to be relieved. As senior officer, 
he permitted their return to the United States. 
While lying in that port, awaiting instructions from 
his government, he was informed by Lord Keith, the 
British admiral on that station, of the daily expecta- 



COMPLIMENT TO THE DUKE OF KENT. 71 

tioii of the arrival of his Royal Highness, the Duke 
of Kent. Desiring to pay the Royal Duke every 
mark of respect, the Admiral invited Commodore 
Murray to join, if it was not inconsistent with his 
arrangements. The Commodore, with his usual 
courtesy agreed, and the first rank was assigned to 
him after the Admiral's own flag. As soon as the 
royal standard was discovered in the bay, the British 
fleet, consisting of twelve sail, fired a salute, followed 
by the American frigates, and then the Portuguese 
and Danish men of war. The yards were all manned, 
and in this manner they escorted his Royal Highness 
on shore, — Lord Keith leading the van in company 
with the Royal Duke. They then repaired to the 
parade ground, where they were all presented to his 
Royal Highness in form, in the centre of a hollow 
square formed by a garrison of five thousand men. 
When this ceremony was ended, they marched round, 
and at the head of each regiment were received with 
military music, and a feu de joie was fired in rotation 
from all the cannon in the batteries. 
. Commodore Murray had a long and familiar con- 
versation with his Royal Highness, which was several 
times repeated, and always with the warmest declara- 
tions of his respect and regard for the Americans. 
The next day he received a polite note from Lord 
Keith, in which the Admiral says, "I am commanded 
by his Royal Highness, the Duke of Kent, to make 
his public thanks to you, and to the officers com- 
manding the American frigates, for their courtesy 
and attention to him yesterday, in his own person, 
and that of the British nation." 

On the day following, the Philadelphia and Essex 



72 IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 

having departed for the United States, Commodore 
Murray proceeded up the Mediterranean with valu- 
able presents from his government to the Bey of 
Tunis, sent from England by our Minister, Mr. King, 
which lie delivered. From this port he sailed for 
Tripoli, and fell in with the Boston and two Swedish 
frigates, with which he concerted a plan for a vigour- 
ous blockade. As the Boston was compelled to put 
into Malta to repair, and the Swedish ships of war 
to go away in quest of provision, Commodore Murray 
was left alone in sight of the town for several weeks. 
He repaired to Syracuse for provisions, and in the 
mean time very advantageous terms of peace were 
offered to him by the Bashaw ; to which, as he had 
no powers from his own government, he was unable 
to accede. 

He was once becalmed, when he was attacked by 
all the Tripolitan gun-boats, and the contest was 
maintained for an hour. A light breeze springing up, 
he brought his guns to bear, and distributed amongst 
them such showers of grape, that they never annoyed 
him afterwards. 

Commodore Murray visited the ex-bashaw at Malta, 
where he went in quest of provisions. He was an 
interesting and well-disposed Turk, of free and easy 
manners. He detailed to the Commodore, at great 
length, the sufferings and oppressions imposed on him 
by his brother, and solicited his assistance ; but tlie 
Commodore was unable to serve him, and could only 
breathe a fervent prayer for his success. His brother, 
the Bashaw, was a tyrant, whose heart was impene- 
trable to the touches of mercy and compassion. 

He remained four months before Tripoli, awaiting 



RETURN HOME. 73 

the orders of his government. At length he went to 
Palermo, to inquire if any American vessels required 
convoy, when he heard that Captain Morris, in the 
Chesapeake, had arrived in the Mediterranean. He 
touched at Naples, and remained there until his rud- 
der was repaired, during which time he was introduced 
to the diplomatic corps, and to the principal nobility 
of the place, participating in all the courtesy and 
hospitality of their tables. These compliments he 
requited by invitations on board his frigate. 

At Leghorn he met with Captain Morris, with 
whom he arranged all matters respecting his future 
course, and sailed down the Straits with a -convoy. 
He proceeded as far as the Gulf of Lyons, encoun- 
tering many severe gales, and was compelled to put 
into Malaga, for the purpose of fishing his mast, which 
had sprung by the violence of the gale. Here he met 
with Captain Rodgers, in the frigate John Adams, 
who put into his hands an open letter from the Secre- 
tary of the Navy, directed to Captain Morris, enjoining 
him to despatch the Constellation and some other 
vessels of war home. As Captain Morris was then 
thirteen hundred miles distant, he returned to America, 
after having informed that officer by letter of his 
motives for so doing. He sailed with a fleet of up- 
wards of one .hundred vessels, under his convoy, and 
arrived at Washington, where his ship was dismantled. 

He remained for a period in the bosom of domestic 
retirement, from whence he was summoned to take 
command of the Adams, and cruise off the American 
coast, which was then infested with French privateers. 
He cruised for some time along the coasts of Carolina 
and Georgia, in a tempestuous season of the year, 
K 7 



74 



DEATH OF COMMODORE MURRAY. 



until his ship was ahnost a wreck, when he returned 
to Washington, where she was laid up. 

Commodore Murray's last appointment was that 
of commander of the navy-yard in Philadelphia, — a 
post in which he rendered important services, and 
gave universal satisfaction. He held it during the 
rest of his life. He died October 6, 1820, at his seat 
near Philadelphia. His remains were interred with 
the highest honours. He united to the highest firm- 
ness and resolution, a remarkable mildness and suavity 
of temper. Few men were personally more beloved. 
The invalid, the battered and disabled seaman, return- 
ing from the disasters of war or shipwreck, ever 
found in him a generous friend. 





JOHN BARRY. 

HE career of this dis- 
tinguished officer com- 
mences with the infancy 
of our navy, and is 
marked by many bril- 
liant services. His 
name occurs in connec- 
tion with not a few of 
the more remarkable 
events in the history of 
the revolutionary war, and always with credit to him- 
self, and honour to the flag under which he sailed. 

Few commanders in the navy were employed in a 
greater variety of service, or met the enemy under 
greater disadvantages. Yet, in no one of the numer- 
ous actions in which he was engaged, did Commodore 
Barry ever fail to acquit himself of his duty in a 
manner becoming a skilful seaman and an able warrior. 

T5 




76 IN THE MERCHANT SERVICE. 

Commodore Barry was born in the county of 
Wexford, in the Kingdom of Ireland, in the year 
1 745. His father was a highly respectable farmer ; 
under whose roof he received the first impressions of 
that ingenuousness, and that high-toned magnanimity 
which were conspicuous attributes of his character. 
At a very early age he manifested a strong inclination 
to follow the sea. His father was induced to gratify 
his desires, and he was put on board a merchantman, 
in which service he continued several years. The 
opportunities afforded by the intermissions of his 
voyages, were improved to his advantage, by applying 
himself to the acquisition of knowledge. Possessed 
of a strong and active mind, he was enabled, with 
indefatigable industry, to acquire a good parochial 
education. 

In the fourteenth or fifteenth year of his age he 
arrived in America, which he immediately determined 
to make the country of his adoption. In his new 
situation he was not long without employment, but 
applied himself diligently to his new profession, and, 
in a very short time, his nautical skill, the steadiness 
of his habits, and the integrity of his character, re- 
commended him, successively, to some of the most 
respectable merchants of that day. He was long in 
the service of Mr. Reese Meredith, Messrs. Willing 
and Norris, and Mr. Nixon. While in the employ 
of the latter gentleman, he commanded a very valuable 
ship, in the London trade, called the Black Prince, 
which was afterwards purchased by the Congress for 
a vessel of war. During his continuance with those 
gentlemen he possessed their unreserved confidence ; 
they always spoke of him in terms of the highest ap- 



APPOINTED TO THE LEXINGTON. 77 

probation ; his connection with them was the ground 
of a friendship, reciprocal, sincere, and lasting. He 
thus continued, growing in reputation, and acquiring, 
by industry and perseverance, a decent competency, 
until the controversy between the mother country 
and her then colonies gave a new direction to thought, 
and opened new prospects to ambition. He could 
not but feel a deep interest in passing events ; he did 
not hesitate as to the part he should act, as the bias 
of his youth was in favour of liberty. At that inter- 
esting crisis, when Great Britain sent her veteran 
armies and powerful navies, to coerce a compliance 
with her unjust demands ; and when all but men 
struggling for their liberty would have deemed resist- 
ance folly, it became important to select officers 
whose Tpalour and discretion, whose experience and 
skill would give the utmost efficiency to our insignifi- 
cant means of defence and annoyance. The rare 
union in Commodore Barry of all these qualities, re- 
commended him to the notice of Congress, and he 
was honoured by that body with one of the first naval 
commissions. 

In February 1776, he was appointed to the com- 
mand of the brig Lexington, of sixteen guns. She 
was the first continental vessel of war that sailed 
from the port of Philadelphia. Having cruised suc- 
cessfully in her, he was, in the latter part of the same 
year, transferred to the Effingham, one of three large 
frigates built in Philadelphia. In the eventful winter 
of that year, the navigation of the Delaware being 
impeded by ice, and all naval employment suspended, 
his bold and restless spirit could not be inactive. So 

zealous was he in his country's cause, that he 

7# 



78 BOLD EXPLOIT. 

volunteered his services in the army, and served with 
distinguished reputation as aid-de-camp to General 
Cadwallader, in the important operations which took 
place in the vicinity of Trenton. 

AVhen the British obtained command of the city, 
and forts on the river, in 1777, it was deemed prudent 
to send the vessels of war up the river to Whitehill, 
where they might possibly escape destruction, Com- 
modore Barry, with several others, effected their es- 
cape with great dexterity. The vessels, however, 
were soon after destroyed by the enemy. While the 
frigates were lying near Whitehill, Commodore Barry 
formed a project, which, for boldness of design, and 
dexterity of execution was not surpassed, if equalled, 
during the war. It struck him that the enemy might 
be severely annoyed by means of small boats, properly 
armed, which, being stationed down the river and bay, 
might intercept supplies going to the enemy, and, in 
case of danger, take refuge in the creeks. He accord- 
ingly manned the boats of the frigates, and, under 
cover of night, with muffled oars, descended the river. 
He arrived opposite the city before the enemy or 
citizens had any information of their movement. In 
a moment all was consternation and alarm ; the enemy 
apprehending some impending disaster, while the citi- 
zens, supposing the project impracticable, despaired 
of the safety of his friends. The object was effected ; 
and the success which crowned the adventure was 
worthy of the enterprising spirit which conceived it. 
They not only succeeded in intercepting supplies of 
provisions from the surrounding country, but cap- 
tured several vessels loaded with military munitions 
and valuable stores for the British officers. General 



COMMANDS THE ALLIANCE. 79 

Washington always spoke with great satisfaction of 
this enterprise, and those concerned in it; indeed, he 
gave a piibhc expression of thanks, to the Commodore 
and his officers. 

After the destruction of his frigate, he was ap- 
pointed to the command of the Raleigh, of thirty-two 
guns ; which ship he was obliged, by a large squadron 
of British vessels of war, to run on shore, on Fon's 
island, in Penobscot bay. Having made several 
voyages to the West Indies, in letter of marque vessels, 
during one of w^hich he was commodore of a large 
squadron of them, he was afterwards ordered to take 
command of a seventy-four gun ship, building in New 
Hampshire. Congress having, however, concluded 
to present her to the King of France, the Commodore 
was appointed to the command of the frigate Alliance, 
of thirty-six guns, then at Boston. In February 1781, 
she sailed from Boston for L'Orient, having on board 
Colonel Laurens and suite, on an important embassy 
to the French court. He sailed from L'Orient early 
in 1781, on a cruise; and having taken many valuable 
prizes, on the 29th of May an event occurred that 
deserves notice. On the preceding day two sail were 
discovered on the weather bow, standing for the 
Alliance; after approaching near enough to be in 
sight, during the night, they hauled to the wind, and 
stood on the same course with the frigate. 

At daylight, on the 29th, it became quite calm; at 
sunrise the American colours were displayed on board 
the Alliance ; the drum beat to quarters. The strange 
sails were discovered to be a ship and a brig; the 
British flag was displayed, and having, by means of 
their sweeps, got within hailing distance, they respec- 



no CAPTURES THE ATALAXTA. 

tively hailed, when it appeared that the ship was His 
Brittanic Majesty's sliip of war Atalanta, Captain 
Edwards, carrying between twenty and thirty guns; 
and her consort, the brig Trepasa, Captain Smith. 
The Commodore ordered them to haul down their 
colours, which being refused, the cannonading imme- 
diately began : the Alliance, from want of wind, was 
like a log upon the water ; while the enemy by means 
of their sweeps, could select their position : they ac- 
cordingly kept on the quarters, and athwart the stern 
of the Alliance, so that but few guns could be brought 
to bear upon them. About two o'clock, the Commo- 
dore was wounded in the left shoulder by a grape 
shot. Though the wound was dangerous and exces- 
sively painful, he remained on the quarter-deck some 
time, when the loss of blood obliged him to be carried 
to the cockpit. Shortly after, the colours of the 
Alliance were shot away, and, this happening in the 
interval of loading her guns, the enemy concluded 
they had been struck ; they manned the shrouds and 
huzzaed. The American flag was soon hoisted again, 
and the renewal of the fire from the Alliance sent the 
enemy to their quarters. A little wind fortunately 
springing up, the broadside of the frigate was^ brought 
to bear upon the enemy ; it did great execution, and 
at three, P. M., they both struck their colours. 
When Captain Edwards was conducted to the 
Commodore, who was then confined in the cabin, he 
presented his sword, which was immediately returned 
to him, as a testimonial of the high opinion entertained 
of his bravery ; the Commodore observing, at the same 
time, " that he richly merited it, and that his King 
ought to give him a better ship." . 



THE COMMODOKE WOUNDED. 83 

Soon after the Commodore was wounded and left 
the deck, one of his lieutenants went to him while in 
the cockpit, and representing the shattered state of 
the sails and rigging, the number of killed and wound- 
ed, and the disadvantages under which they laboured, 
from the want of wind, desired to know if the colours 
should be struck. " No," said he ; " and if the ship 
can't be fought without, I will be carried on deck," 
When the lieutenant made known to the crew the 
determination of their brave commander, fresh spirit 
was infused into them, and they one and all resolved 
to " stick by him." As soon as his wound was 
dressed, he insisted on being carried on deck, but 
before he reached it the enemy had struck. The 
Alliance had eleven killed, and twenty-one wounded ; 
among the latter several of her officers ; her rigging and 
spars much shattered, and she was severely damaged in 
her hull; the enemy had the same number killed, and 
thirty wounded. We have been led into the detail 
of this victory, as it was considered, at the time of 
its achievement, a most brilliant exploit; and an 
unequivocal evidence of the unconquerable firmness 
and intrepidity of the victor. 

In the fall of 1781, orders were received to fit the 
Alliance for taking the Marquis de Lafayette and 
Count de Noailles to France, on public business. On 
the 25th of December, she sailed from Boston, with 
them on board. 

The Alliance left L' Orient in February 1782, 
from which time she continued cruising, with great 
success, till March of the following year; when, 
shortly after leaving Havana, whither she had been 
ordered, to bring the United States a large quantity 



84 SEVERE ACTION. 

of specie, having in company the continental ship 
Luzerne, of twenty guns, Captain Green, three 
frigates were discovered right ahead, two leagues dis- 
tant; the American vessels were hove about; the 
enemy gave chase. The Luzerne not sailing as fast 
as the Alliance, the Commodore ordered her captain 
to throw her guns overboard. A sail was then dis- 
covered on her weather-bow bearing down upon them ; 
the Alliance hove out a signal, which was answered; 
she proved to be a French ship, of fifty guns. Rely- 
ing upon her assistance, the Commodore concluded 
to bring the headmost of the enemy's ships to action; 
lifter inspiring his crew by an address, and going 
from gun to gun, and cautioning his men against too 
much haste, and not to fire until ordered, he prepared 
for action. The enemy's ship was of equal size with 
the Alliance ; a severe engagement followed : it was 
very soon perceptible that the Alliance was gaining the 
advantage; most of the enemy's guns were silenced; 
and, after an action of fifty minutes, the ship was so 
severely damaged, that she hoisted a signal of distress, 
when her consorts joined her. The loss on board 
the Alliance was very trifling — three killed, and eleven 
wounded. The enemy's loss was severe ; thirty- 
seven killed, and fifty wounded. The other English 
frigates were watching the movements of the French 
ships; the captain of which, upon coming up with the 
Alliance, assigned as a reason for keeping aloof from 
the action, that he was apprehensive the Alliance had 
been taken, and that the engagement was only a 
decoy. Chase was made, but the French ship being 
unable to keep up with the American, it was given over. 
A gentleman of distinguished naval reputation, 



ANECDOTE. 85 

when in the Mediterranean with the American 
squadron, was introduced to Captain James Vaughan, 
now Vice-Admiral of the Red, the commander of 
the British frigate engaged with the Alhance. In the 
course of conversation, he made particular inquiry- 
after Captain Barry ; related the circumstances of the 
action ; and, with the frankness of a generous enemy, 
confessed that he had never seen a ship so ably fought 
as the Alliance ; that he had never before, to use his 
own words,—" received such a drubbing, and that he 
was indebted to the assistance of his consorts." We 
are sensible we have indulged in greater particularity 
in the relation of these engagements than most readers 
would think necessary. Our reason must apologise 
for us ; we wish it to be known that the gallantry of 
our seamen is not of recent date, but is coeval with 
our national existence. 

These are the most interesting incidents that our 
imperfect materials furnish. Suffice it to say, that 
Commodore Barry served throughout the Revolution 
with distinguished honour to himself, and signal 
benefit to his country. Even during the intervals of 
suspension from public employment, occasioned by 
the chances of war, he was actively and efficiently 
employed in annoying the commerce of the enemy in 
ktter of marque vessels. Having espoused the cause 
of liberty from principle, he was attached to it with all 
the glow of patriotic enthusiasm ; nothing could divert 
him from it, nor cool his ardour. The following 
anecdote may be relied upon as authentic; it evinces 
at once the high estimation in which his services 
were held by the enemy, and the constancy of his 

resolution : — 

8 



86 GENERAL HOWE'S OFFER. 

General H-owe, appreciating the Comreiodore's cha 
racter, and thinking him important to the successfiu' 
progress and issue of the contest, made an attempt to 
detach him from his country's service ; for this pur- 
pose, he authorised an offer to the Commodore of 
fifteen or twenty thousand guineas, and the command 
of the best frigate in the Enghsh navy. The General 
availed himself of a period that seemed to him the 
most aupicious for the accomplishment of his object ; 
it was when the metropolis was in possession of the 
British — when the enemy triumphed, and even when 
the best friends of America began to despair. The 
offer was rejected with the indignation of insulted 
patriotism. The answer he returned to the General 
was, that "he had devoted himself to the cause of his 
country, and not the value and command of the whole 
British fleet could seduce hira from it." 

After the termination of hostilities, the Commodore 
was retained in the public service ; and when, under 
Mr. Adams's administration, it was deemed expedient 
to increase the naval establishment, he was appointed 
to superintend the building of the frigate United 
States, in Philadelphia, which was designed for his 
command. His opinion was very influential in the 
adoption by the government of that excellent model 
for ships of war, the superiority of which, over every 
other, has been so strikingly proved, as to have ex- 
torted the acknowledgments even of our enemies 
During the partial maritime war into which we were 
drawn by the aggressions of the cruisers of the French 
Republic, Commodore Barry was constantly and ac- 
tively employed ; and though fortime did not afford 
him an opportunity of signalising himself by any 



DEATH OF COMMODORE BARR?. 87 

splendid victor}'-, yet he rendered essential service to 
the commercial interests of the country, by protecting 
its flag from the depredations of the French pri- 
vateers, which infested the ocean. After our differ- 
ences with France were accommodated, he retained 
the command of the United States until she was laid 
up in ordinary, soon after the introduction of Mr. 
Jefferson to the Executive chair: 

Commodore Barry did not long survive the termi- 
nation of his public services; though naturally of a 
strong and robust constitution, he had been for many 
years subject to an asthmatic affection, to which he 
fell a victim, at Philadelphia, on the thirteenth day 
of September, 1803. 

Thus closed the life of one of the first of patriots, 
and best of men. He was eminently qualified for the 
important stations which he filled. He possessed 
courage without rashness — a constancy of spirit which 
could not be subdued — a sound and intuitive judg- 
ment — a promptitude of decision equal to the most 
trying emergencies — a consummate skill — a gene- 
rosity of soul which tempered the sterner qualities of 
the head, and recommended him to the esteem of 
all — a humanity of feeling which made him no less 
attentive to the comforts and happiness of those whom 
the fortune of war threw into his power than he had 
been ambitious to conquer them. He spent a long 
life upon the ocean, and was engaged in every variety 
of service. He knew how to conciliate those who 
were subjected to his command, and, although a rigid 
disciplinarian, he never failed to secure the attach- 
ment of his sailors. It is worthy of especial remark, 
that no one who has sailed with him as a seaman has 



88 CHARACTER OF COMMODORE BARRY. 

ever been heard to speak of him but with affection 
and gratitude. He never found any difficulty in 
making up a crew, and desertion from his ship was 
unknown. 

In the various relations of private life he was no 
less unexceptionable. As a citizen he was exem- 
plary — as a friend sincere, — as a husband tender and 
affectionate. The affability and frankness of his de- 
portment, ingratiated him with all who enjoyed the 
pleasure of his acquaintance ; there was a native 
humour in his character which gave it peculiar in- 
terest. His mansion was ever the residence of hos- 
pitality. Jealous of his own honour he was never 
known to injure, designedly, the feelings of any one ; 
and, though possessed of a quickness of sensibility to 
the appearance of offence or impropriety, he never 
failed to express his regret, and to make atonement 
for injuries prompted by an excess of feeling. He 
was just, charitable, and without disguise. As he 
was educated in the habits of religion, so he cultivated 
them through life; he enforced a strict observance of 
divine worship on board his ship, and scrupulously 
attended to the moral deportment of his crew; he had 
himself experienced the comforts of religion, and he 
died in its faith. 

Commodore Barry was in size above the ordinary 
stature; his person was graceful and commanding. 
His whole deportment was marked by dignity unmixed 
with ostentation ; and his strongly marked countenance 
was expressive at once of the qualities of his mind, 
and the virtues of his heart.* 

* Pott Folio. 




NICHOLAS BIDDLE. 

IBEKTY never 
had a more intre- 
pid defender than 
the subject of this 
memoir. Among 
the brave men who 
perished in the glo- 
rious struggle for 
the independence 
of America, Cap- 
tain Nicholas 
BiDDLE holds a distinguished rank. His services, 
and the high expectations raised by his military genius 
M S* 89 




90 SHIPWRECK. 

and gallantry, have left a strong impression of his 
merit, and a profound regret that his early fate should 
have disappointed so soon the hopes of his country. 

Nicholas Biddle was born in the city of Philadel- 
phia, on the tenth day of September, 1750. His 
father, Mr. William Biddle, was a native of New 
Jersey, son of William Biddle, one of the first settlers 
and proprietors of that State, from whom he inherited 
a very large fortune, which his losses in trade, and 
the engagements of suretyship for a friend had greatly 
reduced. His mother was the daughter of Nicholas 
Scull, Esq., who was, for many years, Surveyor- 
General of Pennsylvania; and of these worthy and 
respectable parents he was the sixth son. 

Mr. Biddle, very early in life, manifested his par- 
tiality for the sea, and before the age of fourteen he 
had made a voyage to Quebec. In the following 
year, 1765, he sailed from Philadelphia to Jamaica, 
and the bay of Honduras. The vessel left the bay in 
the latter end of December 1765, bound to Antigua, 
and the second day of January, in a heavy gale of 
wind, she was cast away on a shoal, called the 
Northern Triangles. After remaining two nights 
and a day upon the wreck, the crew took to their 
yawl, the long-boat having been lost, and with great 
difficulty and hazard landed on one of the small un- 
inhabited islands, about three leagues distant from 
the reef, upon which they struck. Here they staid a 
few days. Some provisions were procured from the 
wreck, and their boat was refitted. As it was too 
small to carry them all off, they drew lots to deter- 
mine who should remain, and young Biddle was 
among the number. He, and his three companions, 



IN THE MERCHANT SERVICE. 



91 




Mr. Biddle shipwrecked on the Northern Triangles. 

suffered extreme hardships, for want of provisions 
and good water, and although various efforts were 
made for their reUef, it was nearly two months before 
they succeeded. 

Such a scene of dangers and sufferings, in the com- 
mencement of his career, would have discouraged a 
youth of ordinary enterprise and perseverance. On 
him it produced no such effect. The coolness and 
promptitude with which he acted, in the midst of 
perils that alarmed the oldest seamen, gave a sure 
presage of the force of his character, and after he had 
returned home, he made several European voyages, 
in which he acquired a thorough knowledge of sea- 
manship. 

In the year 1 770, when a war between Great Britain 
and Spain was expected, in consequence of the dispute 
relative to Falkland's Island, he went to London, in 
order to enter into the British navy. He took with 



gS EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 

him letters of recommendation from Thomas Willing, 
Esq., to his brother-in-law, Captain Sterling, on board 
of whose ship he served for some time as a midship- 
man. The dispute with Spain being accommodated, 
he intended to leave the navy, but was persuaded by- 
Captain Sterling to remain in the service, promising 
that he would use all his interest to get him promoted. 
His ardent mind, however, could not rest satisfied 
with the inactivity of his situation, which he was 
impatient to change for one more suited to his dis- 
position. 

In the year 1773, a voyage of discovery was under- 
taken, at the request of the Royal Society, in order 
to ascertain how far navigation was practicable to- 
wards the North Pole, to advance the discovery of a 
northwest passage into the South seas, and to make 
such astronomical observations as might prove service- 
able to navigation. 

Two vessels, the Race Horse and Carcase, were 
fitted out for the expedition, the command of which 
was given to the Hon. Captain Phipps, afterwards 
Lord Mulgrave. The peculiar dangers to which such 
an undertaking was exposed, induced the government 
to take extraordinary precautions in fitting out, and 
preparing the vessels, and selecting the crews ; and a 
positive order was issued that no boys should be re- 
ceived on board. 

To the bold and enterprising spirit of young Biddle 
such an expedition had great attractions. Extremely 
anxious to join it, he endeavoured to procure Captain 
Sterling's permission for that purpose, but he was 
unwilling to part with him, and would not consent to 
let him go. The temptation was, however, irresis- 



EXPLOKING VOYAGE. 93 

tible. He resolved to go, and laying aside his uniform 
he entered on board the Carcase before the mast. 
When he first went on board, he was observed by a 
seaman who had known him before and w^as very 
much attached to him. The honest fellow thinking 
that he must have been degraded and turned before 
the mast in disgrgice was greatly affected at seeing 
him ; but he was equally surprised and pleased when 
he learned the true cause of the young officer's dis- 
guise, and he kept his secret as he was requested to 
do. Impelled by the same spirit, young Horatio, 
afterwards Lord Nelson, had solicited and obtained 
permission to enter on board the same vessel. These 
youthful adventurers are both said to have been ap- 
pointed coxswains, a station always assigned to the 
most active and trusty seamen. The particulars of 
this expedition are well known to the public. These 
intrepid navigators penetrated as far as the latitude 
of eighty-one degrees and thirty-nine minutes, and 
they were at one time enclosed with mountains of ice, 
and their vessels rendered almost immovable for five 
days, at the hazard of instant destruction. Captain 
Biddle kept a journal of his voyage, which was after- 
wards lost with him. 

The commencement of the revolution gave a new 
turn to his pursuits, and he repaired, without delay, 
to the standard of his country. When a rupture be- 
tween England and America appeared inevitable, he 
returned to Philadelphia, and soon after his arrival^, 
he was appointed to the command of the Camden 
galley, fitted for the defence of the Delaware. He 
found this toO' inactive a service, and when the fleet 



94 EXPEDITION TO NEW PROVIDENCE. 

was preparing, under Commodore Hopkins, for an 
expedition against New Providence, he applied for a 
command in the fleet, and was immediately appointed 
commander of the Andrew Doria, a brig of fourteen 
guns and a hundred and thirty men. Paul Jones, 
who was then a lieutenant, and was going on the ex- 
pedition, was distinguished by Captain Biddle, and 
introduced to his friends as an officer of merit. 

Writing from the Capes to his brother, the late 
Judge Biddle, he says, " I know not what may be our 
fate ; be it, however, what it may, you may rest as- 
sured I will never cause a blush in the cheeks of my 
friends or countrymen." Soon after they sailed, the 
small-pox broke out and raged with great violence in 
the fleet, which was manned chiefly by New England 
seamen. The humanity of Captain Biddle, always 
prompt and active, was employed on this occasion, to 
alleviate the general distress, by all the means in his 
power. Kis own crew, which was from Philadelphia, 
being secure against the distemper, he took on board 
great numbers of the sick from the other vessels. 
Every part of his vessel was crowded, the long-boat 
was fitted for their accommodation, and he gave up his 
own cot to a young midshipman on whom he bestowed 
the greatest attention till his death. In the mean- 
while he slept himself upon the lockers, refusing the 
repeated solicitations of his officers to accept their 
births. On their arrival at New Providence, it sur- 
rendered without opposition. The crew of the 
Andrew Doria, from their crowded situation became 
sick, and before she left Providence, there were 
not men enough capable of doing duty to man the 



CRUISE ON THE BANKS. 95^ 

boats ; Captain Biddle visited them every day, and 
ordered every necessary refreshment, but they con- 
tinued sickly until they arrived at New London. 

After refitting at Nevv^ London, Captain Biddle 
received orders to proceed off the Banks of New 
foundland, in order to intercept the transports and 
storeships bound to Boston. Before he reached the 
Banks, he captured two ships from Scotland, with 
four hundred Highland troops on board, destined for 
Boston. At this time the Andrew Doria had not one 
hundred men. Lieutenant Josiah, a brave and ex- 
cellent officer, was put on board one of the prizes, 
with all the Highland officers, and ordered to make 
the first port. Unfortunately, about ten days after- 
wards, he was taken by the Cerberus frigate, and on 
pretence of his being an Englishman, he was ordered 
to do duty, and extremely ill used. Captain Biddle 
hearing of the ill-treatment of Lieutenant Josiah, 
wrote to the Admiral at New York, that however 
disagreeable it was to him, he would treat a young 
man of family, believed to be a son of Lord Cranston,, 
who wa3 then his prisoner, in the same manner they 
treated Lieutenant Josiah. 

He also applied to his own government in behalf 
of this ir jured officer, and by the proceedings of Con- 
gress, on the 7th of August,. 1776, it appears, "That 
a letter from Captain Nicholas Biddle to the Marine 
Committee, was laid before Congress and read ; 
Whereupon, Resolved^ That General Washington be 
directed to propose an exchange of Lieutenant Josiah 
for a lieutenant of the navy of Great Britain : That 
the General remonstrate to Lord Howe on tlie cruel 
treatment Lieutenant Josiah has rijet with, of which 



% APPOINTED TO THE RANDOLPH. 

the Congress have received undoubted information." 
Lieutenant Josiah was exchanged after an imprison- 
ment of ten months. After the capture of the ships 
v/ith the Highlanders, such was Captain Biddle's 
activity and success in taking prizes, that when he 
arrived in the Delaware he had but five of the crew 
with which he sailed from New London, the rest 
having been distributed among the captured vessels, 
and their places supplied by men who had entered 
from the prizes. He had a great number of prisoners, 
so that for some days before he got in he never left 
the deck. 

While he was thus indefatigably engaged in weak- 
ening the enemy's power, and advancing his country's 
interest, he was disinterested and generous in all that 
related to his private advantage. The brave and 
worthy opponent whom the chance of war had thrown 
in his power, found in him a patron and friend, who 
on more than one occasion was known to restore to 
the vanquished the fruits of victory. 

Li the latter end of the year 1776, Captain Biddle 
was appointed to the command of the Randolph, a 
frigate of thirty-two guns. With his usual activity 
he employed every exertion to get her ready for sea. 
The difficulty of procuring American seamen at that 
time obliged him, in order to man his ship, to take a 
number of British seamen, who were prisoners of 
war, and who had requested leave to enter. 

The Randolph sailed from Philadelphia in Febru- 
ary 1777. Soon after she got to sea her lower masts 
were discovered to be unsound, and, in a heavy gale 
of wind, all her masts went by the board. While 
they were bearing away for Charleston, the English 



CAPTURES THE TRUE BRITON. 97 

sailors, with some others of the crew, formed the de- 
sign to take the ship. When all was ready they gave 
three cheers on the gun-deck. By the decided and 
resolute conduct of Captain Biddle and his officers, 
the ringleaders were seized and punished, and the 
rest submitted without further resistance. After re- 
fitting at Charleston, as speedily as possible, he sailed 
on a cruise, and three days after he left the Bar, he 
fell in with four sail of vessels, bound from Jamaica 
to London. One of them — called the True Briton — 
mounted twenty guns. The commander of her, who 
had frequently expressed to his passengers his hopes 
of falling in with the Randolph, as soon as he per- 
ceived her, made all the sail he could from her, but 
finding he could not esccipe, he hove to, and kept up 
a constant fire, until the Randolph had borne down 
upon him, and was preparing for a broadside, when 
he hauled down his colours. By her superior sailing, 
the Randolph was enabled to capture the rest of the 
vessels, and in one week from the time he sailed from 
Charleston, Captain Biddle returned there with his 
prizes, which proved to be very valuable. 

Encouraged by his spirit and success, the State of 
South Carolina made exertions for fitting out an 
expedition under his command. His name and the 
personal attachment to him urged forward a crowd of 
volunteers to serve with him, and, in a short time, the 
ship General Moultrie, the brigs Fair American, and 
Polly, and the Notre Dame were prepared for sea. 
A detachment of fifty men from the first regiment of 
South Carolina Continental infantry was ordered to 
act as marines on board the Randolph. The regiment 
was then commanded by Colonel, afterwards General 
N 9 



98 SAILS FROM CHARLESTON. 

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, who, with his officers 
and soldiers, would have done honour to any service. 
Such, says our informant — himself a gallant officer of 
that regiment, — was the attachment which the honour- 
able and amiable deportment of Captain Biddle had 
impressed during his stay at Charleston, and such the 
confidence inspired by his professional conduct and 
valour, that a general emulation pervaded the corps 
to have the honour of serving under his command. 
The tour of duty, after a generous competition among 
the officers, was decided to Captain Joor, and lieute- 
nants Grey and Simmons, whose gallant conduct, and 
that of their brave detachment, did justice to the high 
character of the regiment. As soon as the Randolph 
was refitted, and a new mainmast obtained in place of 
one which had been struck with lightning,* she dropped 
down to Kebellion Roads with her little squadron. 
Their intention was to attack the Carysfort frigate, 
the Perseus, twenty-four gun ship, the Hinchinbrook, 
of sixteen guns, and a privateer which had been 
cruising off the Bar, and had much annoyed the trade. 
They were detained a considerable time in Rebellion 
Roads, after they were ready to sail, by contrary 
winds and want of water on the Bar for the Ran- 
dolph. As soon as they got over the Bar, they stood 
to tbe eastward, in expectation of falling in with the 
British cruisers. The next day they retook a dis- 
masted ship from New England ; as she had no cargo 
on board they took out her crew, six light guns and 
some stores, and set her on fire. Finding that the 
British ships had left the coast, they proceeded to 

* After this accident, he used a conductor, the novelty of wliich, at 
that tinae, excited much attention. 



CRUISE IN THE WEST INDIES. 99 

the West Indies; and cruised to the eastward, and 
nearly in the latitude of Barbadoes for some days, 
during which time they boarded a number of French 
and Dutch ships, and took an English schooner from 
New York bound to Grenada, which had mistaken 
the Randolph for a British frigate, and was taken 
possession of before the mistake was discovered. 

On the night of the 7th of March, 1778, the fatal 
accident occurred, which terminated the life of this 
excellent officer. For some days previously, he had 
expected an attack. Captain Blake, a brave officer, 
who commanded a detachment of the second South 
Carolina regiment, serving as marines on board the 
General Moultrie, and to whom we are indebted for 
several of the ensuing particulars, dined on board the 
Randolph two days before the engagement. At dinner. 
Captain Biddle said, " We have been cruising here 
for some time, and have spoken a number of vessels, 
who will, no doubt, give information of us, and I 
should not be surprised if my old ship should be out 
after us. As to any thing that carries her guns upon 
one deck, I think myself a match for her." About 
three, P. M., of the 7th of March, a signal was made 
from the Randolph for a sail to windward, in conse- 
quence of which the squadron hauled upon a wind, in 
order to speak her. It was four o'clock, before she 
could be distinctly seen, when she was discovered to 
be a ship, though as she neared and came before the 
wind, she had the appearance of a large sloop with 
only a square-sail set. About seven o'clock, the 
Randolph being to windward hove to, the Moultrie 
being about one hundred and fifty yards astern, and 



100 BIDDLE'S LAST BATTLE. 

rather to leeward, also hove to. About eight o'clock, 
the Briiisli sliip fired a shot just ahead of the Moul- 
trie, and liailetl her, tiie answer was the Polly of New 
York, upon which she immediately hauled her wind, 
and hailed the Randolph. She was then for the first 
time discovered to be a two-decker. After several 
questions asked and answered, as she was ranging up 
alongside the Randolph, and had got on her weather 
quarter, liieutenant Barnes, of that ship, called out, 
" This is the Randolph," and she immediately hoisted 
her colours and gave the enemy a broadside. Shortly 
after the action commenced, Captain ]]iddle received 
a wound in the thigh and fell. This occasioned some 
confusion, as it was at fust thought that he was killed. 
He soon, however, ordered a chair to be brought, 
said that he was only slightly wounded, and being 
carried forward encouraged the crew. The stern 
of the enemy's ship being clear of the Randolph, 
the captain of the Moultrie gave orders to fire, but 
the enemy having shot ahead, so as to bring the Ran- 
dolph between them, th(^ last broadside of the Moul- 
trie went into tlie Randolph, and it was thought by 
one of the men saved who was stationed on the quar- 
ter-deck near Captain Biddlo, that he was wounded 
by shot from the Moultrie. The fire from the Ran- 
dolph was constant and well-directed. She fired 
nearly three broadsides to the enemy's one, and she 
appcnired, while the battle lasted, to be in a continual 
blaze. In about twenty minutes after the action 
began, and while the surgeon was examining Captain 
Riddle's wound on the quarter-deck, the Randolph 
blew up. 




9* 



101 



LOSS OF THE RANDOLPH. 103 

The enemy's vessel was the British ship Yarmouth, 
of sixty-four guns, commanded by Captain Vincent. 
So closely were they engaged, that Captain Morgan, 
of the Fair American, and all his crew, thought that 
it was the enemy's ship that had blown up. He stood 
for the Yarmouth, and had a trumpet in his hand to 
hail and inquire how Captain Biddle was, when he 
discovered his mistake. Owing to the disabled con- 
dition of the Yarmouth the other vessels escaped. 

The cause of the explosion was never ascertained ; 
but it is remarkable that just before he sailed, after 
the clerk had copied the signals and orders for the 
armed vessels that accompanied him, he wrote at the 
foot of them, " in case of coming to action in the 
night, be very careful of your magazines." The 
number of persons on board the Randolph was three 
hundred and fifteen, who all perished, except four 
men, who were tossed about for four days on a piece 
of the wreck before they were discovered and taken 
up. From the information of two of these men, who 
were afterwards in Philadelphia, and of some indi- 
viduals in the other vessels of the squadron, we have 
been enabled to state some particulars of this unfor- 
tunate event in addition to the accounts given of it 
by Dr. Ramsay in his History of the American Re- 
volution, and in his history of the revolution of South 
Carolina. In tlie former work, the historian thus 
concludes his account of the action : " Captain Biddle, 
who perished on board the Randolph, was universally 
lamented. He was in the prime of life, and had ex- 
cited high expectations of future usefulness to his 
country, as a bold and skilful naval officer. " 



104 CHARACTER OF CAPTAIJiI BIDDLE. 

Thus prematurely fell at the age of twenty-^even, 
as gallant an officer as any country ever boasted of. 
In the short career which Providence allowed to him, 
he displayed all those qualities which constitute a 
great soldier. Brave to excess, and consummately 
skilled in his profession, no danger nor unexpected 
event could shake his firmness, or disturb his presence 
of mind. An exact and rigid disciplinarian, he tem- 
pered his authority with so much humanity and aflfa- 
bility, that his orders were always executed with cheer- 
fulness and alacrity. Perhaps no officer ever under- 
stood better the art of commanding the affections as 
well as the respect of those who served under him : if 
that can be called an art which was rather the natural 
effect of the benevolence and magnanimity of his 
character. 

The virtues of his private life endeared him to a 
numerous circle of friends. With the frankness and 
manliness of chara<jter, which eminently belong to the 
officers of his profession, Captain Biddle united other 
qualities of much more rare occurrence. The most 
amiable mildness and modesty of manners, a strict 
and rigid temperance, and a strong habititual sense 
of his religious and moral duties. A sincere Chris- 
tian, his religious impressions had a decided and 
powerful influence upon his conduct. Even his 
native courage was heightened by the reflection, that 
in the discharge of his duty all personal consequences 
were to be disregarded. His temper was uniformly 
cheerful, and his conversation sprightly and enter- 
taining. In his person he was about fi^e feet nine 
inches high, remarkably handsome, strong and active. 



CHARACTER OF CAPTAIN BIDDLE. 



105 



Before he left Charleston, he was enis^agcd to be mar- 
ried, on his return, to a youngiady of that place. 

By the numerous living witnesses of his worth, and 
extraordinary promise, his memory is cherished with 
peculiar fondness, and it will ever be respected by 
the brave and the patriotic* 

* Port Folio. 




% / 



o 




JOSHUA BARNEY. 

Vi AV amoiij; (ho naval 
luToos of our country, 
li;ivc <;-oiu> tlirouj^li 
nioro viuirlios of active 
stuvicc. or cxpcrit>nccd 
ji;rcat(M" vicissKmlcs of 
fortune, tlr.m tlic sub- 
ject of this nicnioir. 
His life h;is been Avrit- 
ten in a most ciitcr- 
taininji; style, by his relative, Mrs. Mary l^arn(\v ; and 
it is from this source that we liave drawn tlie |)riucij)al 
facts contained in the folh)win«; skctcli. 

100 




KAKl.Y I, I I'll. 107 

CoMMODoiu' Joshua IV\knmv was Ixjim. ;il. Bulti- 
Jiiorc, oil (Ik; sixdi of .inly, I7.^)!>. His aiicciHtor.s 
luid (!ini;^i'a(,('(l from l']iiji;laiHl, wlirrc; lli(!y mainlaiiicd 
ti middling rank, and \\v\v of r(;|nital)l(! cliaracdcr. 
lldticalion, in those days, was only to Ix' obtained at 
considerable (ixpen.se, and (hat hut rarely in a new 
couidry which had but few inhahitants ; and soin(; of 
these witiiout fortune or learning. 11(; weid, to school 
very younj^, and havinjj; attaiiuid the principieH of aritli- 
metic, rcadilij; and writinj;, Ik; left, at ten years of aj!;o. 
l]\'en at this (^aiiy period he had acquired a decided 
liking- for tlu; sea, which tlu; pareids (mdeavourc^d to 
divert to fionie other ol)j(;ct, l)y j)ullinj;- him to \'arious 
employments, without success. I'^indin^- that tlu^se 
trials tended l)ut to increase his ardeid, desire; for 
th(! sea, they resolved — however, iiiiwiHin<;ly — to let 
him try his fortune in th(; profession of bis choice. 
When they ])Ia('('d him with ii pilot, tluiy still enter- 
tained hopes thiit a few months' service; would make 
him IoS(; his |)r(;dilectioii for this toilsome; pursuit, 
and retui'n to the; domestic circle. Hut the waste; e)f 
wabrs was to him a, home', hovve;ve;r eli-e;ai"y ; anel the; 
result of every suhse'eiue;nt exeuii'sion j)re)ne)uncoil 
more chiarly that he was elestineel to le;ael the life of a 
sailor. 'The fond pare'ids, seein{]f this, tlH)u;^bt fit to 
])rovide> |)ermane'idly foi* his advane'einent, until he', 
should be; aide; to e-ontre)! his e)wn move-me;ids : an e)[)- 
poi'tunity se)()n e)H(Me;el. ( '/aptain Thomas Dryselale, 
(his l)re)the;r-indiiw,) was the'ii in port, with ;i small 
l)ri^, aiul e)ire;re'd te) rece;ive; him e)n hoai-el — a fave)ur 
which the; family ae'e',epte;el, and youn;i; P.arne'y forth- 
witli e;ntere'el upon his ne'vv emj^aj^eime'iil. The (irst 
voyage was to Liverpool, when, afl,e;r the; eledivery of 



108 VOYAGE TO NICE. 

the cargo, the brig was imexpcctedly sold, and the 
master secured a passage for himself and Barney, for 
Baltimore. Althougli our hero had loved the sea so 
well, yet he longed for a sight of home and his rela- 
tions. When he arrived, he received the unwelcome 
intelligence that his father had been called to his last 
home, and found the family plunged in the deepest 
affliction. 

After visiting the scenes of his boyhood, he again 
resumed his former vocation, and made several 
voyages to Europe, in company with his brother-in- 
law. On the 22A of December, 1774, he entered 
upon a voyage which, though it terminated the life 
of Captain Drysdale, shows, most conclusively, the 
energy and resources of Barney's mind. The Captain 
died in a week after they had set sail, and the first 
mate having left the ship in consequence of a quarrel, 
it became necessary for young Barney to command 
and conduct the ship to her destination, Nice ; an 
undertaking of no small difficulty, considering the 
leaky state of the vessel, the inexperience of her 
commander, and the distance of the port ; yet he 
cheerfully undertook it. As they proceeded on their 
voyage the leak gained upon them, notwithstanding 
they kept the pumps going day and night, and, on 
entering the Mediterranean, they were overtaken by 
a storm which threatened to complete their ruin ; 
they were able, however, to put into Gibraltar, and 
Barney, taking all responsibility upon himself, had 
the ship repaired ; an operation which occupied three 
months, and they then set sail for their destination, 
where they arrived in safety. Here, again, his mental 
energies were taxed to the utmost, for the Nicene 



ENTERS THE AMERICAN SERVICE. 109 

merchants determined not to pay the expenses of re- 
pairs at Gibraltar, and the Governor seconding them, 
young Barney was thrown into prison ; but he was 
soon afterwards released. As all American vessels 
then sailed under English colours, he hoisted the 
union jack, considering, that if they attempted to take 
the vessel, it would be considered a national insult, 
and as such would be resented. In this he was right. 

The cost of repairs being paid, he set sail for 
America; but, on the way, he touched at Alicant, in 
Spain, and, as his Catholic Majesty was then fitting 
out his memorable expedition against Algiers, he was 
detained, and employed in the service of the expedi- 
tion. It would not be in place, here to give a 
description of that unfortunate and disgraceful expe- 
dition ; which resulted in the utter discomfiture of the 
Spaniards. After this he returned to America, where 
he was first informed of the rehdlion of the colonies, 
and that the battles of Lexington and Bunker's Hill 
had been already fought He was but sixteen years 
old when he returned from this eventful voyage, and, 
considering the struggle of the colonies a just one, he 
determined to enter into their service. The country 
was in a state of great excitement, and young Barney 
allowed himself little or no relaxation : but learning: 
that there were two vessels equipping at Baltimore, 
he immediately offered his services, and was received 
as master's mate, on board of the sloop of war Hornet, 
of ten guns, which was destined to join the squadron 
of Commodore Hopkins. 

Towards the latter end of November 1 775, the Hor- 
net, in company with another Baltimore vesssel — the 
Wasp — set sail, and cleared the capes, without being 

10 



no ENCOUNTER WITH THE TENDEK. 

seen by the British cruisers, and found the squadron of 
Commodore Hopkins, consisting of five ships, mount- 
ing one hundred and two guns, and the Fly tender, 
anchored at the mouth of the Delaware. The fleet im- 
mediately set sail, and without any adventure arrived at 
the place of rendezvous, where their destination was 
made known. New Providence, one of the Bahamas, 
was the object of attack, and thither they steered ; 
but, on the passage, during a stormy night, the Hornet 
lost her masthead and boom, in consequence of the 
Fly tender running foul of her, and she became sepa- 
rated from the rest of the fleet. This untoward 
accident compelled the captain to steer for the nearest 
port and repair. They arrived olf the mouth of the 
Delaware about the first of April, where they were 
informed that the British ship lloebuck, of forty-four 
guns, lay at anc\\or in the roads, and that her tender 
was cruising in quest of prizes. The captain, affect- 
ing to be under the influence of religious scruples, 
determined to avoid her, but in so doing, fell upon her 
track and soon encountered her, and the captain was 
about to surrender, but the tender, seeing, as she 
neared, the force of the sloop, sheered off. The 
sloop in going up the channel ran ashore, but was got 
off with the loss of her rudder, and after a cold, tem- 
pestuous run, arrived at Philadelphia. 

Barney now left the Hornet, and volunteered his 
services to Captain Charles Alexander, a Scotchman, 
who had entered the American service, and held the 
command of the Wasp. The Wasp having convoyed a 
vessel richly laden, clear of the coast, returned to the 
Delaware, where her commander discovered, lying in 
the roads, the Roebuck, forty-four, and the Liverpool, 



^XPLOSIOI^. Ill 

twenty-eight — two British frigates which had entered 
the river in her absence. The Wasp was pursued 
by the latter; but the British ship, having no pilot, 
ran ashorg, and the little scliooner escaped to the 
Cape May channel, where she found two other Ame- 
rican vessels — the Lexington, and the Surprise — 
lying securely at anchor, their commanders, Captains 
Barry and Weeks, being ignorant of the near vicinity 
of the enemy. In the meantime the Liverpool got 
off, and commenced the chase of a vessel laden with 
ammunition. The three American commanders ob- 
serving this, made preparations to give the fcnemy a 
warm reception. But the Roebuck appearing in sight 
disconcerted their plans, and made them seek safety 
in flight. The captain of the chased vessel, seeing no 
hope of escape, ran her ashore, and commenced taking 
out her cargo, in which they were assisted by boats' 
crews from the Lexington and Surprise, until the 
frigates lowered their boats, when Captain Barry 
ordered a quantity of loose powder and a slow match 
to be placed in the hold, and, as the enemy entered, it 
went off with a tremendous explosion, killing every 
soul on board. The Wasp now pursued her course 
up the bay, which was perceived by the frigates, who 
gave chase. Captain Alexander, finding that they 
gained upon him, hauled his course to the wind, and 
ran into Wilmington creek, when night coming on, 
the frigates dropped anchor at the mouth of the creek, 
and thus kept him in a state of blockade. A number 
of row gallies from Philadelphia, under the command 
of Commodore Hazlewood, having been sent after 
the frigates, made their appearance the next morning, 
and instantly commenced an attack. Captain Alex- 



112 APPOINTED LIEUTENANT. 

ander, embracing this opportunity, attacked the tender 
of one of the British frigates, carried her by board- 
ing, and made his escape, pursued by the Roebuck, 
which grounded on the Jersey shore. Captain Alex- 
ander, sent his prize to port, and re-e^itered the creek 
before niglit. The next morning being thick and 
hazy, he got out ; but, when the weather cleared, he 
found himself almost in the enemy's power, but by 
exertion he escaped, and again meeting the galleys, 
they maintained the attack all day, and finally through 
the exertions of Barney forced the frigates to retire, 
while the Wasp returned safe to Philadelphia. 

Barney was not yet seventeen, and through the 
kindness of Captain Alexander, he was appointed to 
take charge of the sloop Sachem, of ten guns, and 
superintend her equipment. While on this service, 
he received an appointment as lieutenant, on the 20th 
of June, 1 776. Soon after this. Captain Isaiah Robin- 
son arrived, and took the command of the Sachem, 
and, with our young hero, set sail on the 6th of July 
Before they had been at sea many days they fell in 
with a letter of marque brig, under English colours, 
and an attack was determined upon, which lasted 
about two hours, when the brig surrendered, and was 
taken into Philadelphia. 

In consequence of the ability and bravery displayed 
by Captain Robinson and Lieutenant Barney, they 
were removed to the Andrew Doria, of fourteen guns, 
which was waiting for orders to put to sea. Captain 
Robinson was ordered to St. Eustatia, for the pur- 
pose of bringing home some ammunition, deposited 
there, at the disposal of Congress, — and to return 
home immediately, in order not to subject himself to 



CAPTURE OF THE RAGE HORSE. 113 

being taken by a superior force. On their return 
home they fell in with the Race Horse, of twelve 
guns, under Lieutenant Jones, and after a hard-fought 
battle of two hours, forced her to surrender. The 
vessel suffered much in the hull, spars and rigging, 
and Lieutenant Jones and most of his men were more 
or less dangerously wounded before he surrendered. 
The Andrew Doria had four killed, and eight or nine 
wounded. 

Soon after this, having captured an English scow, 
Lieutenant Barney was sent in her as prizemaster; 
but on the voyage home, he encountered a severe gale, 
and was compelled to put into Chincoteague for re- 
pairs. After remaining there till January 26, 1777, 
he proceeded to sea with the prize ; but on his passage 
he was captured by the Perseus, of twenty guns, and 
taken to Charleston. Being allowed to retire upon 
parole, Barney soon found his way to Philadelphia. 
Here he remained many months, until an exchange 
offered, when he again returned to the Andrew Doria. 
He was heartily welcomed by Captain Robinson, and 
his brother officers and men. 

The Andrew Doria now formed a part of the force, 
that had been prepared for the water defence of Phila- 
delphia, which force consisted of a flotilla of about 
forty ships and boats, commanded by Commodore 
Hazlewood. They were stationed off the mouth of 
the Schuylkill, partly defended by a small fort, erected 
on Mud island. A portion of the American forces 
were also stationed at Red Bank, on the Jersey shore, 
and at Province island, farther down the river. 
These preparations were made not without some 
great design, for the enemy being now in possession 
P lU* 



114 LOSS OF FORTS ON THE DELAW^ARE. 

of Philadelphia, a determined effort was to be made 
before they could gain the command of the Delaware. 

The attack which was made on the flotilla and 
forts by the British fleet, and ably sustained by the 
Americans, afforded many opportunities for the dis- 
play of that heroism which marked every action of the 
revolutionary war, in which the naval force was con- 
cerned. By employing an overwhelming force, both 
by sea and land, the enemy were at length enabled to 
batter down the American forts and disperse the 
flotilla, and thus effect an open communication be- 
tween the ocean and Philadelphia, now in their pos- 
session. This, however, was not effected without a 
heavy loss of officers and men. Among the former 
was the gallant Donop. The English also lost two 
ships, and the Americans one. The final attack ter- 
minated on the night of the 16th of November, by the 
Americans running their ships up the river to Borden- 
town, rather than let them fall into the hands of the 
enemy, who had thus learned that their victories were 
to be bought only by a force greatly superior to that 
of their opponents in numbers and discipline. 

Lieutenant Barney, throughout the whole affair, 
displayed his usual bravery and perseverance. He 
was always in the thickest of the fray, and despised 
the old rules of warfare — that it is the mark of cou- 
rage and insight, to bring your forces whole from 
battle, and be sure and return yourself with your 
ships. 

Early in the following December, he was ordered 
to enter as lieutenant of the frigate Virginia, which 
was then lying at Baltimore, whither he was ordered 
with a detachment of seamen and officers destined for 



BARNEY A PRISONER. 115 

the frigate. He was nearly a month in performing 
the march, in consequence of the almost impassable 
state of the roads, which were covered with snow 
and sleet. A great many of the men were frostbitten, 
in consequence of the cold ; but all arrived, safe. 

In 1778, he was placed in the command of a pilot- 
boat tender. His duty in this capacity was to cruise 
about the bay, and watch the movements of the enemy, 
and observe when an opportunity offered for the 
frigate to put to sea. In this capacity he recaptured 
a large sloop belonging to Baltimore, and one of the 
enertiy's barges which had seized her. 

On the last of March, an opportunity offered for 
the frigate to put to sea ; but she ran on the middle 
ground, and in this situation was attacked by three 
of the enemy's fleet, when the captain hoisted out 
the barge, and put to shore, leaving the vessel under 
the command of Lieutenant Barney, who was over- 
ruled in his determination to resist the enemy by the 
other officers, who were willing to follow the course 
of their captain. Lieutenant Barney thus again fell 
into the hands of the enemy ; but in consequence of 
his former humane conduct towards the British pri- 
soners who had fallen into his hands, he was treated 
with kindness and civility, and such was the confi- 
dence reposed in him, that he was frequently allowed 
to go on shore and remain for whole days. Captain 
Caldwell, who commanded the Emerald — in which 
ship Lieutenant Barney was prisoner — had, by his 
uniform kindness and urbanity, won the esteem of all 
Americans who fell into his hands. 

During the year 1 778, it having been deemed ne- 
cessary to send the prisoners to New York, Lieute- 



116 PLOT TO RECAPTURE. 

nant Barney was removed to this place, in the ship St. 
Albans, sixty-four, Captain Onslow. On the passage^ 
Lieutenant Barney, who was the only officer of any 
distinction on board, formed the bold plan of seizing 
the ship, and the whole fleet, but the project was dis- 
concerted by the treachery of a Frenchman, to whom 
the secret had been confided. When Captain Onslow 
became aware of it, he placed the means which Lieu- 
tenant Barney was to employ, out of his reach, and 
passed the affair over in silence, until he arrived at 
New York, when it was only referred to as a matter 
of pleasantry. When they arrived at New York, the 
Americans were transferred to the prison-ships. 
Here, Barney, for the first time, realised that he was 
a prisoner. He now beheld disease, in her varied 
forms, revelling, as it were, in the mass of beings, 
who seemed scarcely '■''liuman'^ 

Even here, his usual kindness predominated, and 
he tended for hours the sick and dying of his country- 
men. He was not, however, without the hope of 
being relieved, and was allowed to obtain, at least, the 
freedom of the deck. In this he was not disappoint- 
ed ; for, in a few weeks after his incarceration, he was 
happy to learn that Admiral Byron had arrived, to 
supersede Lord Howe in command of the English 
fleet. This officer, in a week after his arrival, paid a 
visit to the prison-ships, and seeing the prisoners in 
such a miserable condition, he ordered, with his ac- 
customed humanity, better accommodations to be 
prepared, and learning the peculiar position of Lieu- 
tenant Barney, he ordered him to be removed to his 
ship, where he was treated with great kindness. He 
was allowed to go on shore whenever he wished, and 



FIRING A CROWBAR, 117 

never showed himself so unworthy of confidence as 
not to return. 

For nearly five months he remained in this situa- 
tion, when an opportunity offering, he was exchanged, 
and again offered his services to the American authori- 
ties; but, there being no vacancy at the time, he 
determined to visit his relatives and friends. Still 
his mind was bent upon the sea, and, disdaining a life 
of idleness, he took command of" a fine little schooner, 
armed with two guns, and eight men," bound for St. 
Eustatia. 

In going down the bay, he was attacked by an 
English privateer and taken ; but, fortunately, he was 
put on shore, with his men, and thus he was saved 
from a second experience of the horrors of a prison- 
ship. He immediately set out for Baltimore, where 
he met his old friend, Captain Robinson, who was in 
search of him to offer him the situation of first ofl[icer 
in a private ship of which he then had command. 

In February 1779, they set sail with a cargo of 
tobacco, and an armament of twelve guns, and thirty- 
five men, bound for Bordeaux. After they had been 
out a few days, they were chased by the Rosebud, of 
sixteen guns. Captain Duncan. An action followed ; 
and Captain Robinson, on observing indications of 
the enemy's intention to board, left Barney to com- 
mand the stern-chaser, while he went on the gundeck, 
ready to give the enemy a broadside should he make 
the attempt. Barney, believing that she was at one 
time running up for this purpose, loaded the gun with 
grapeshot and a "crowbar," which, by cutting up the 
enemy's rigging, and nearly severing his foremast, 
had the desired effect, and the British commander 



IIS LIEUTENANT BARNEY'S MARRIAGE. 

tliouglit proper to sheer olF, and leave Captain Robin- 
son to repair his damages at leisure. The enemy 
lost forty-seven men, in killed and wounded. The 
voyage was continued without farther interruption ; 
and the vessel having discharged her cargo, returned 
home. On her homeward passage, she came up with 
an English letter of marque ship, of equal force and 
weight of metal, which, after a long contest, was forced 
to surrender, and Lieutenant Barney was placed in 
command of her, on her passage to Philadelphia. 
When he arrived there, not finding any vacancy in 
the naval service, he determined not to enter the mer- 
chant service, but to spend his leisure time among his 
relatives in Philadelphia and Baltimore. 

While residing at the former place, he became ac- 
quainted with Miss Bedford, daughter of Gunning 
Bedford, Esq., to whom he was married, on the 10th 
of March, 1780. 

He remained a month at Philadelphia, when he 
was advised to undertake some commercial enterprise, 
which he determined to do, and, accordingly, set out 
with that purpose ; but his whole fortune, which he 
carried with him, was secretly stolen from him ; and he 
returned to his wife, but never spoke about the miss- 
ing money. As if by way of consolation, in a few 
days he was ordered to the Saratoga, of sixteen guns, 
under Captain John Tarns. He immediately went 
to sea. 

They had not been out many days, before they fell 
in with a British ship, of twelve guns, and soon cap- 
tured her. It seemed as if fortune had now determined 
to smile upon our hero, for tlie next day they encoun- 
tered a British ship and two brigs, and, after a hard- 



BARNEY'S CAPTURE. 119 

fought battle, they succeeded in taking all three. 
During the action, Lieutenant Barney, with fifty men, 
boarded the largest ship, mounting thirty-two guns, 
with ninety men, and after a terrible conflict obtained 
possession of the deck, and soon the American 
colours were at the masthead. 

Barney, in the largest ship, was ordered to steer 
for the Delaware; but he soon discovered that she 
leaked fearfully, and the next day observed a small 
squadron in chase, and, resistance being out of the 
question, he surrendered to Captain Anthony J. P. 
Malloy, of the Intrepid, seventy-four. By this com- 
mander he was treated in the most brutal maimer. 
Yet, when he afterwards came to reflect upon his lot, 
he found that the Saratoga and crew perished at sea, 
and were never heard of^ and that his being appointed 
to the command of the prize, and his capture by the 
inhuman Malloy, were the means of preserving him for 
future service. The Intrepid sailed soon after for 
New York, when Barney was removed to the Yar- 
mouth, seventy- four, (December 1780,) to be sent to 
England, where they were to receive the punishment 
of their ''rebellion." On the passage, the prisoners 
— amounting to about sixty — were confined in the 
most loathsome of dungeons, without light or pure 
air, and with a scanty supply of provisions. 

They thought, when they arrived at Pljaiiouth, that 
their privations were at an end ; but they were only 
removed to another prison-ship, which, although dirty 
and crowded, was, in some measure, better than the 
one they had left. From this, contrary to expecta- 
tion, as soon as they were so much recovered as to 
be able to walk, they were brought on shore and con- 



120 ESCAPE FROM TRISO IN'. 

fined in IMlll prison, Avhere they met the anxious faces 
ot' several hundred American prisoners, who had 
undergone the same privations as themselves. 

This prison "was surrounded by two strong walls, 
twenty feet apart, and was guarded by numerous 
sentries. There were small gates in the walls, and 
these were placed opposite each other, the inner one 
generally remaining open. The prisoners were al- 
lowed the privilege of the yard nearly all day, and 
this set the inventive mind of Barney upon the scheme 
which, in the end, terminated in his liberty ; not, how- 
ever, w ithout intinite danger and trouble. He set about 
finding out some small chance which might atVord the 
least hope of release ; and having discovered one of 
the sentries that had served in the United States, and 
remembered the kindness with which he had been 
there treated, Barney and he formed the means of 
escape. It was arranged that Barney should atlect 
to have hurt his foot and obtain a pair of crutches, 
and thus lull suspicion. 

On the 18th of May, 1781. he habited himself in 
tlie undress uniform of a British otlicer — the whole 
covered with an old greatcoat, and, by the aid of the 
sentinel, cleared the prisoh ; when he threw off the 
coat, and soon arrived at the house of a well known 
friend to the American cause, in Plymouth. That 
he might not be soon missed, he got a lad. who, after 
answering to his own name, was to get out. and answer 
to Barneys, in the yard, which little stratagem suc- 
ceeded admirably. When Barney arrived at the 
friend's house, he made preparations to leave as soon 
as possible, well knowing that if any oC the British 
were detected harbouring him, they would be coil- 



* PLAN OF ESCAPE. 121 

victed of high treason. In the evening, therefore, he 
departed to the house of his friend's father, at a con- 
siderable distance, where he would be safer. On 
arriving there, he was surprised to find two of his old 
friends — Americans — who had been, for some time, 
anxiously waiting for an opportunity of returning 
home, and now thought that the time had arrived. 

Lieutenant Barney determined to sail for the French 
coast, and, for this purpose^ he and the two gentlemen 
purchased a small lishing vessel, and habiting them- 
selves in some fishermen's old apparel, they set sail 
on their intended voyage. Admiral Digby's fleet lay 
at the mouth of the river, and our adventurers had to 
pass through the midst of them, and then run the 
chance of capture by the numerous British cruisers, 
which continually ply about the channel. This was 
a daring undertaking, as the fleet, he thought, had 
doubtless received notice of his escape, and the enemy 
would be rigid in their search. He, therefore, deter- 
mined to act with coolness, and, if intercepted, to give 
such answers to the questions put to him, as might 
best lull suspicion. If he was detected, he would pay 
for the attempt with his life. 

He knew that if his escape was detected, that it 
would be immediately communicated to the fleet, and 
thus lessen his chances; especially as the least unusual 
appearance in his assumed character, would excite 
immediate suspicion. Even should he be able to pass 
through the fleet, the Britisli channel abounded with 
the Englisli cruisers, which were quite adept in the 
art of picking up stragglers. With these dangers 
painted in living colours before his eyes, he preserved 
his usual self-possession, and inspired with confidence 
a 11 



122 INTERCEPTED BY A PRIVATEER. 

his companions, who had never handled a rope, and 
relied exclusively upon his daring. 

By sunrise, the next morning, they were " under 
way," the two gentlemen remaining below, and Lieu- 
tenant Barney and the servant being the only ones on 
deck, to avoid suspicion. With a good breeze and 
a favourable tide, it was not long before they were in 
the midst of the hostile fleet, which seemed to take 
no notice of them. Their hearts beat quick when 
they were thus hanging between life and death ; but 
as soon as the last of the enemy w^as passed, they 
declared themselves safe through that portion of the 
ordeal. 

But what attempt ever ended to the satisfaction of 
the undertaker ? Before the enemy were more than 
clear out of sight, the practised eye of Barney caught 
a sail which he knew to be bearing down upon him. 
He saw that resistance was out of the question ; but 
that if he managed the affair adroitly, he might escape. 
It was now that he was called to exercise that firm- 
ness of mind, coolness and contempt of danger, and 
quickness of resource in time of need, that ever dis- 
tinguished his character, and showed him to be a man 
of no ordinary natural talents. In less than an hour 
the privateer — for such she was — came alongside, and 
sent an officer to see " what he wanted steering for a 
hostile coast." The first questions that were put, 
and answered unhesitatingly, were — what he had on 
board ? and where he was bound ? Of course he had 
nothing on board, and his destination was France — 
on business of importance from the ministry ; at the 
same time untying the rope that bound the old coat 
around him, and displaying the British half-uniform. 



ESCAPES TO HOLLAND. 123 

The officer touched his hat, begged pardon, and said 
he would go on board and report to the commanding 
officer. 

The result of the interview was that Barney was 
made a prisoner once more, and ordered with a prize- 
master to Plymouth. But being forced by stress of 
weather into a small bay, near Plymouth, he contrived 
to escape from his captors, and find his way to the 
mansion of the venerable clergyman, at Plymouth. 
Deeming *it unsafe to remain there, lest he might be 
discovered, after a few days he set out at midnight in 
a postchaise for Exeter, and from thence by stages 
to Bristol, where he had a letter of credit to an 
American gentleman. 

Here he remained for three weeks, and from thence 
he went to London, directed to a countryman, who 
received him kindly, and offered his services towards 
effecting his final escape. After remaining here for 
six weeks, he found an opportunity of sailing for 
France ; and after an extremely boisterous and squally 
passage, reached Ostend, from whence he soon found 
his way to Amsterdam, where he seized the opportu- 
nity of paying his respects to Mr. John Adams, then 
Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to 
Holland. Through the courtesy of this gentleman, he 
obtained a passage to his own country, and, after some 
adventures, reached Philadelphia, on the 21st of 
March, 1782. 

But he was not long allowed to enjoy the pleasure 
which he expected, after sach a trial of danger and 
fatigue. In less than a week after he arrived at Phila- 
delphia, he was offered the command of the Hyder 
Ally, of sixteen guns, fitted out by the state authorities 



124 HYDER ALLY AND GENERAL MONK. 

of Pennsylvania, to repress the enemy's privateers, 
with which Delaware river abounded. 

On the 8th of April, 1782, he entered upon his 
destined service, which was to convoy a fleet of mer- 
chantmen to the capes, and protect them from the 
"refugee boats," with which the river abounded. 
While waiting at the capes, he was assailed by two 
ships and a brig belonging to the enemy, who, finding 
him unsupported, commenced a furious attack, which 
he sustained with great coolness, while hfs convoy 
were safely retiring up the river. The brig came up 
first, and gave him a broadside as she was passing ; 
but kept her course up the bay after the convoy, while 
Barney waited for the ship, which was coming up 
rapidly. Having approached within pistol shot, the 
Hyder Ally poured a broadside into her, which 
somewhat staggered the enemy, who thought Barney 
would *' strike his colours." The enemy seemed 
disposed to board, and was ranging alongside of 
him, when he ordered the quartermaster, in a loud 
voice, to " port the helm !" — having previously given 
him secret instructions to put the helm hard a-star- 
board, which latter order was obeyed ; by this ma- 
noeuvre the enemy's jibboom caught in the fore- 
rigging of the Hyder Ally, thus giving her a raking 
position, which Captain Barney knew how to im- 
prove. The firing on both sides was tremendous ; — 
an idea of it may be obtained from the fact, that 
more than twenty broadsides were fired in twenty-six 
minutes! In the mizenstaysail of the General Monk 
there were afterwards counted, three hundred and 
sixty-five shot-holes. During the whole of this short 
but glorious battle, Captain Barney was stationed 



THE GOLD-HILTED SWORD. 127 

upon the quarterdeck, exposed to the fire of the 
enemy's musketry, which was excessively annoying, 
and began to be felt by the men, insomuch that Cap- 
tain Barney ordered a body of riflemen, whom he had 
on board, to direct their fire into the enemy'a top, 
which immediately had the desired effect. 

The capture of the General Monk was one of the 
most brilliant achievements recorded in naval history. 
The General Monk mounted eighteen guns, and had 
one hundred and thirty-six men, and lost twenty men 
killed, and thirty-three wounded. The Hyder Ally 
had sixteen guns, and one hundred and ten men, and 
lost four men killed, and eleven wounded. 

All the oflicers of the General Monk were wounded, 
except one. The captain himself was severely wound- 
ed. The brig which accompanied the enemy ran 
ashore to avoid capture. Captain Barney now fol- 
lowed his convoy up to Philadelphia. After a short 
visit to his family, he returned to his command, where 
he soon captured the " Hook-'em-snivy" — a refugee 
schooner w4iich had done a great deal of mischief on 
the Delaware. 

These captures struck such terror among the pri- 
vateers, that they began to disperse to more profitable 
grounds. In consequence of these glorious actions, 
Captain Barney was presented with a gold-hilted 
sword, in the name of the State. 

The General Monk was purchased by the United 
States, and refitted under the title of General Wash- 
ington. The command of her was given to Captain 
Barney, who was sent to sea, May 13th, 1782, with 
sealed orders, which he was requested not to open 
until he came to a certain latitude at sea. He had 



128 BARNEY A COMMODORE. 

uncfcr his comniaiid fifteen or sixteen vessels — priva- 
teers and letters of marque — and from this circum- 
stance he Avas now fairly entitled to the title of 
commodore. When he arrived at the capes he met 
three frigates coming in, and the convoy immediately 
retired up the bay, and left Barney to encounter the 
frigates. During the night he escaped, and was 
chased by one of the frigates, but outsailed her, and 
got beyond pursuit, when he opened tlie private in- 
structions which he had received from the commis- 
sioners of the State. 

He was prohibited from engaging the enemy, if it 
should take him out of his course. He delivered his 
letters to the French and Spanish Admirals, in the 
AVest Indies, and returned to the Delaware, where he 
routed a whole tleet of refugee boats, when he returned 
to Philadelphia and again visited his family. But 
this was of short duration, for he was soon appointed 
to carry despatches to France, and bring home a 
considerable sum of mone}*, which the King of France 
had loaned to the American government. On his 
return home, he was furnished with a passport, under 
the s?g)i 7nam(al of the King of England : when he 
arrived near the Delaware, he was chased by three 
ships of war, and only saved himself b}^ anchoring 
near shore in tltrec fathoms water, and taking the first 
opportunity of getting oft' again. 

Upon the cessation of hostilities — which happened 
soon after — the General Washington was changed 
into a packet, while Captain Barney still continued 
in command of her. Government, however, finding 
little use for her, sold her, and Captain Barney deter- 
mined to enter into a commercial enterprise. This, 



VOYAGE TO CAPE FRANCOIS. 129 

however, was not so profitable as he expected, and 
finding his means decreasing, he determined to move 
to Kentucky where he had purchased a tract of land. 
At the close of the year, he visited his new farm, but 
not finding any inducements to emigrate, he returned 
to his family, and abandoned the idea of living in the 
western country. 

After being appointed to several civil offices, Cap- 
tain Barney again went to sea for the improvement 
of his health ; and, in one of his voyages, when he 
had arrived at Cape Frangois, he realised enormous 
profits by the sale of his cargo of flour, there being 
none in market. While here, a dispute arose between 
the agents of government and the army and navy 
officers, which afterwards involved the whole town, 
and in an affray Captain Barney, although neutral, was 
near losing his life, and did not escape without the 
loss of a great deal of his property. After his escape 
from this scene of insurrection, and when he thought 
himself safe, he was boarded by the officers from 
three British privateers or pirates, wlio proceeded, in 
the most insolent manner, to rifle his ship. In a Week, 
however, an opportunity offering, he rose upon the 
captors, and brought the officers and their crew to 
Baltimore, when the affair became the subject of cor- 
respondence between the governments of the two 
nations. 

Captain Barney, finding that trading to the West 
Indies was highly lucrative, determined to make 
another voyage ; but determined not to be taken again 
by privateers ; and, accordingly, put his ship in a con- 
dition to resist the insolence of such petty cruisers in 
future. She was armed with sixteen guns, and 
R 



130 COMMODORE IN THE FRENCH SERVICE. 

thirty men, besides thirty passengers. I. ^ the Samp- 
son, thus armed, he made a profitable voyage to Port 
au Prince ; and when homeward bound, he was chased 
by the frigate Penelope, and ordered aboard, which, 
when he had done, high words having passed, he was 
ordered under custody, and conveyed to Jamaica, 
committed to prison, and afterwards the grand jury 
brought in a bill against him for piracy, founded on 
the recapture of his own ship. On the trial, how- 
ever, he was acquitted merely on the evidence offered 
on behalf of the prosecution. 

Soon after this, he set sail for Philadelphia, and 
from thence to Baltimore, (May 1794,) to relate his 
numerous adventures to his anxious friends. He had 
not been long here, before he was appointed to com- 
mand one of the six ships which Congress had deter- 
mined to provide, as the nucleus of a naval force. 
His name was fourth on the list, being after one who 
was a military officer; and he determined not to 
accept the commission. The Cincinnatus was then 
lying at the wharf, ready for sea, and being offered 
the command he accepted it, and sailed for France. 

In consequence of offers which were made to him 
by the French Directory, while in this country. Com- 
modore Barney entered their service as Chef de 
Division — i. e., commodore — and displayed his usual 
courage, ability, and activity, in his consequent en- 
counters with the English. We regret that our limits 
will not admit of a full account of his foreign service, 
which, owing to the injustice of the Directory, was 
not only unrequited, but appears to have occasioned 
the loss of the property which Commodore Barney 
had previously acquired. One circumstance we 



LEAVES THE FRENCH SERVICE. 131 

cannot rass over. It is his escape from the Chesa- 
peake with a French squadron, when the bay was 
blockaded by an English fleet of greatly superior 
force. 

The stratagem by which he escaped to sea has 
been greatly admired. Having anchored in sight of 
the enemy, until night, he sailed up the bay, out of 
their sight, under cover of the darkness. In the 
morning, the English, supposing him to have escaped, 
put to sea in chase, and when they were gone, Barney 
came out and got to sea. After his return, having 
spent the period from 1798 to 1802, in dancing at- 
tendance on the French Directory and Napoleon, in 
hopes of having his claims for services and money 
advanced, he found himself cheated out of two hun- 
dred thousand dollars. He now demanded his dis- 
charge from the French service, which was at first 
politely refused by Napoleon, but eventually granted 
in 1802; and he was placed upon the pension roll 
with an annuity of fifteen hundred dollars. Satisfied 
at having a claim thus acknowledged, which he might 
have obtained in full if he could have stooped to the 
meanness of bribing the Directory, he never claimed 
a dollar of the pension. 

The next active service in which we find Commo 
dore Barney employed, was the command of the 
privateer Rossie, at the commencement of the late 
war with Great Britain. In ninety days he captured 
eighteen ships, valued at two millions and a half of 
dollars. 

In the summer of 1813 he was offered the command 
of the flotilla to be fitted out for the defence of the 
Chesapeake bay, which he willingly accepted ; and he 



132 FLOTILLA SERVICE. 

instantly set about fitting out and manning his gun- 
boats and barges. Tiiis operation occupied him a 
considerable time; and in April, 1814, he had ready 
for action, twenty-six gunboats and barges, and nine 
hundred men. He determined to attack Tangier 
island ; but a large force of the enemy obliged him to 
retire as far as St. Leonard's creek, where, being 
still pursued, he retired farther up. Several attempts 
were subsequently made against him, but with dread- 
ful loss to the assailants, who sought the protection 
of their larger ships. 

The enemy then turned their operations into a 
blockade, and kept the Commodore inactive, while 
they went into the country, and carried off many of 
the people prisoners on board their fleet. Barney 
having received a small reinforcement from the Secre- 
tary of the Navy, determined on an attack upon the 
blockading squadron, which was to be seconded by a 
battery of two guns on shore. The attack was made 
with great bravery by the flotilla, but being unsup- 
ported by the battery, Barney was forced to retire. 
The fruits of victory, however, he obtained ; for the 
enemy soon steered down the river, perfectly satisfied 
with one attack of the Commodore. 

The next action in which we find him engaged, 
was at the advance of the British on the city of 
Washington. 

The history of this affair is one which it is impos- 
sible to dwell upon with satisfaction. Almost the 
only redeeming feature about it, from the first landing 
of General Ross's troops, to their final departure 
from the desecrated capitol, is the gallant resistance 
of Barney and his brave marines, when deserted by 



BARNEY'S CAPTURE. 133 

those very men whose incapacity had placed them in 
a false position, and whose duty it was to have sup- 
ported them in the defence. As it was, Barney and 
his party kept the enemy in check, until nearly every 
officer was killed or wounded, the Commodore himself 
so severely, as to render it impossible for him to ac- 
company the retreat, which he was finally compelled 
to order. He consequently fell into the hands of the 
British, who, with that characteristic respect for 
heroism, which they often display, instantly offered 
him a parole. Having accepted it, he was conveyed 
by British sailors to Bladensburg, the gallant tars 
refusing to accept the fifty dollar bill, which he ten- 
dered as a compensation for their trouble. 

After remaining at Bladensburg a single day, Com- 
modore Barney was conveyed to his farm, at Elkridge. 
The ball which he had received in his thigh, could 
not be extracted without considerable risk ; and the 
surgeons suffered it to remain till the wound was 
healed. It subsequently gave the Commodore much 
inconvenience, and was thought to have been ulti- 
mately the cause of his death. 

As an acknowledgment of his gallantry and good 
conduct at the battle of Bladensburg, an elegant sword 
was presented to the Commodore, by the corporation 
of Washington. On the 8th of October he was ex- 
changed, and two days afterwards he resumed his 
command of the flotilla. Before he could have any 
new opportunity for distinction, hostilities were ter- 
minated by the Treaty of Ghent. 

The flotilla was disbanded, and his gallant crews 
discharged ; when, having settled his accounts with 
the government. Commodore Barney was sent to 

12 



134 CHARACTER OF COMMODORE BARNEY. 

Europe, as the bearer of despatches to the American 
Plenipotentiaries, which he faithfully delivered, and 
returned to Baltimore, October 13th, 1815. He now 
retired to his farm, where he suffered much from his 
wounded limb. After this he continued to be occu- 
pied with endeavouring to remedy the effect of a 
want of economy in his domestic business arrange- 
ments, until the death of Colonel Nathaniel Ramsay, 
when he was appointed Naval Officer, in the custom 
house, at Baltimore, Being in ill health, he appointed 
his son William his deputy. 

Commodore Barney's death, which took place at 
Pittsburg while he was on a journey to the west, 
happened on the first of December, 1818, in the six- 
tieth year of his age. 

In the character of Commodore Barney we recog- 
nise all the elements of a popular hero. To a noble 
and commanding presence, he added that cordiality 
and kindness of manner, which is universally recog- 
nised as the evidence of a feeling heart; while his 
humanity — his daring courage — his earnestness in the 
despatch of business, and his incorruptible fidelity in 
the discharge of duty, commanded the esteem of 
every administration he served, and the affection of 
every man he commanded. We regret that our nar- 
row limits have not permitted us to copy a few of the 
numerous anecdotes, which enrich the biography 
written by his fair relative, to which we have already 
referred — a work which we recommend especially to 
the notice of all who delight in the records of generous 
and heroic deeds. 



EDWARD PREBLE. 




N the brilliant roll 
of our naval heroes 
the name of Preble 
will always stand 
among the most 



active and 
efficient of- 
ficers of his time ; and it was by his gallantry and 
consummate ability that the war with Tripoli was 
conducted in a style which reflects the highest honour 
on the American flag. 

Commodore Edward Preble was born August 
15th, 1761, in that part of Falmouth in Casco bay 
which is now Portland, in the State of Maine. His 
father was the Hon. Jedidiah Preble, who was a 
brigadier-general under the government of the Massa- 
chusetts bay; and, after the revolutionary war began, 
a member of the council and senate. He died in the 
year 1783, aged 77. 

Edward Preble, from early childhood, discovered a 
strong disposition for hazards and adventures, and a 
firm, resolute, and persevering temper. Possessing 

135 



136 • EARLY LIFE. 

an athletic and active frame, he delighted in exertion, 
and particularly in sporting with a gun, in which he 
displayed superior skill. His constitution, naturally 
robust, was corroborated by this athletic exercise. 

His father, with a view to a college education and 
liberal profession for his son Edward, placed him, at 
a suitable age, at Dummer academy, Newbury, then 
under the care of the late Mr, Samuel Moody, a cele- 
brated teacher. Here he was employed in Latin and 
other studies, and though the bias of his nature to 
action and enterprise proved an overmatch for the 
attractions of literature and sedentary occupation, his 
time at school yielded valuable fruit. The correct- 
ness and propriety of expression in his letters and 
orders, the quality and cast of his conversation, and 
the general resources of his mind showed him indebted 
to early culture as well as to the opportunities he 
enjoyed from much intercourse with the world and 
nis standing in society. He doubtless, with others, 
experienced the benefit of having a preceptor who 
made it his care and gratification to discover and fan 
the spark of honourable ambition in the minds of his 
pupils. He was particularly attentive to their cha- 
racteristic individual traits ; and fond of viewing them 
on the most favourable and indulgent side. He was 
struck with the marks of a fearless invincible spirit 
in Preble ; and though aware of its disadvantages and 
hazards to its possessor, was disposed, in this instance, 
accompanied as it was with ingenuous feelings and a 
disdain of all baseness, to regard it as a prognostic 
of good. A single anecdote in illustration we venture 
to record, trusting that none of our readers, young or 
old, will receive it in ill part, or think it capable of 



YOUTHFUL INTREPIDITY. 137 

any evil use. The good preceptor, with a dear love 
for his pupils, was liable sometimes to gusts of passion, 
portentous in appearance, though commonly harmless 
in effect. On one occasion, our hero, in an encounter 
with a schoolfellow, had given a blow, which covered 
his face with blood. On the boy presenting himself 
in this plight in school, and announcing Preble as the 
author of his misfortune, the master's ire was raised to 
a tempest — seizing the fire-shovel, he sprung towards 
the offender, and aimed a blow at his head; which, 
however, he took care should just escape on one side 
of his mark, and fall on the desk. He repeated the 
motion, bringing down his deadly weapon on the 
other side with the utmost violence. The boy never 
changed his attitude or countenance, sitting perfectly 
erect, and looking calmly at the assailant. The latter, 
from being pale and quivering with rage became in- 
stantly composed, and turning away exclaimed " that 
fellow will make a general." Against the wishes and 
hopes of his father, Edward persisted in that predilec- 
tion for the sea which he had always shown; and 
leaving school after two or three years, he entered on 
board a ship. His first voyage was to Europe in a 
letter of marque. Captain Frend. On their return, 
they had a severe time on the coast through head 
winds and extreme cold. The young sailor was 
conspicuous for his activity and usefulness in this 
trying exigence. 

About the year 1779 he became midshipman in the 
state ship Protector, twenty-six guns, commanded by 
that brave officer, John Foster Williams, who has 
always spoken with emphasis of the courage and good 
conduct of Mr. Preble, while in his ship. 
S 12* 



138 CAPTURE OF THE DUFF. 

On the first cruise of the Protector, she engaged 
off Newfoundland, the letter of marque Admiral Duff^ 
of thirty-six guns. It was a short but hard-fought 
action. The vessels were constantly very near, and 
much of the time alongside, so that balls were thrown 
from one to the other by hand. The Duff struck, 
but taking fire about the same time, she in a few 
minutes blew up. Between thirty and forty of her 
people were saved and taken on board the Protector, 
where a malignant fever soon spread and carried oflf 
two-thirds of Captain Williams's crew. He returned 
to an eastern port, and landing his prisoners and 
recruiting his men sailed on a second cruise. Falling 
in with a British sloop of war and frigate, the Pro- 
tector was captured. The principal officers were 
taken to England, but Preble, by the interest of a 
friend of his father. Colonel William Tyng, obtained 
his release at New York, and returned to his friends. 

He then entered as first lieutenant on board the 
sioop of war Winthrop, Captain George Little, who 
had been Captain Williams's second in command in 
the Protector, had scaled the walls of his prison at 
Plymouth, and with one other person escaping in a 
w^herry to France, took passage thence to Boston. 

One of Mr. Preble's exploits, while in this station, 
has been often mentioned as an instance of daring 
courage and cool intrepidity not less than of good 
fortune. He boarded and cut out an English armed 
brig of superior force to the Winthrop lying in 
Penobscot harbour, under circumstances which justly 
gave the action great eclat. Little had taken the 
brig's tender, from whom he gained such information 
of the situation of the brig, as made him resolve ta 



CAPITAL EXPLOIT. 139 

attempt seizing on her by surprise. He ran her 
alongside in the night, having prepared forty men to 
jump into her, dressed in white frocks, to enable 
them to distinguish friend from foe. Coming close 
upon her he was hailed by the enemy, who, as was 
said, supposed the Winthrop must be her tender, and 
who cried out, ''you will run aboard !" He answered, 
" I am coming aboard," and immediately Preble, with 
fourteen men, sprung into the brig. The motion of 
the vessel was so rapid that the rest of the forty des- 
tined for boarding missed their opportunity. Little 
called to his lieutenant, "will you not have more 
men?" "No," he answered with great presence of 
mind and a loud voice, " we have have more than we 
want; we stand in each other's way." Those of the 
enemy's crew who were on deck chiefly leaped over 
the side, and others below from the cabin window, 
and swam to the shore, which was within pistol-shot. 
Preble instantly entering the cabin found the officers 
in bed or just rising : he assured them they were his 
prisoners, and that resistance was vain, and, if at- 
tempted, would be fatal to them. Believing they 
were surprised and mastered by superior numbers 
they forbore any attempt to rescue the vessel and 
submitted. The troops of the enemy marched down 
to the shore, and commenced a brisk firing with mus- 
kets, and the battery opened a cannonade, which, 
however, was too high to take effect. In the mean- 
time the captors beat their prize out of the harbour, 
exposed for a considerable space to volleys of mus- 
ketry, and took her in triumph to Boston. 

Lieutenant Preble continued in the Winthrop till 
the peace of 1783. This vessel is acknowledged to 



140 PREBLE APPOINTED CAPTAIN. 

have rendered eminent service b}' protecting our trade 
near our shores, and picking up a great number of the 
small privateers which issued from the British ports 
to the eastward. 

From til is period the flag of our nation began to be 
displayed in every sea, and her ships to visit every 
mart in both hemispheres. Mr. Preble was a ship- 
master in successive voyages, to various places, near 
and distant. 

In tlie year 1798, the accumulated injuries and 
insults of the rulers of France awakened a spirit of 
resistance in the people and government of this coun 
try. The president littered a loud call for a navy, 
and obtained a hearing. That class of our statesmen 
and citizens, who had always thought a maritime 
force an indispensable instrument both of defence and 
negotiation, and who had often before pleaded for it 
in vain, embraced the occasion to begin the good 
work. In this and the following year, fifteen frigates, 
and about twelve other vessels of war were built and 
commissioned. It was fortunate for the prosperity 
and usefulness of this intant establishment that many 
of the naval heroes of the revolution, who had been 
accustomed to maritiuie warfare, were of an age to 
be employed in the service, and acknowledged the 
claim of their country to the benefit of their ex- 
perience. 

Of the five first lieutenants, fh*st appointed, Mr. 
Preble was one. In the fall and winter of 1798-9 he 
made two cruises as commandant of the brig Picker- 
ing. The next year, 1799, he received a captain's 
commission, and the command of the frigate Essex, of 
thirty-six guns. Januaiy 1800, he made a voyage in 



CRUISE IN THE WEST INDIES. 141 

her to Batavia, whither he was sent with Captain 
James Sever in the Congress to convoy our home- 
ward bound trade from India and the East. 

The day after leaving; port, a snow storm came on, 
and they parted from the three vessels under convoy 
out. On the 12th, in a heavy gale, he lost sight of 
the Congress. She unfortunately was dismasted and 
obhged to put back. The Essex pursued the voyage 
alone ; after waiting a suitable time at the Cape of 
Good Hope to see if the Congress would come up, 
she sailed for Batavia. Before and after arriving at 
that port, Captain Preble made two cruises of a fort- 
night each in the straits of Sunda. In June, he took 
under convoy home, fourteen sail of American mer- 
chantmen, valued at several millions of dollars. He 
was separated from them in a tremendous gale off the 
bank of Lagullos — but most of them rejoined him 
afterwards at St. Helena, and were protected till they 
were considered out of danger. He met few cruisers 
of the enemy. He gave keen chase to a French cor- 
vette, from the Isle of France, which he would have 
overtaken, but the wind dying away, she escaped by 
means of her sweeps. He arrived at New York near 
the end of the year. He had been sick on the voyage, 
and failed in health exceedingly afterwards. Being 
appointed to the Adams for the Mediterranean, he was 
too feeble to take command, and was obliged to resign 
her to Captain Campbell. 

In the year 1S03 he was sufficiently recovered to 
enter again upon duty. At this time he commenced 
a career in which he acquired great honour ; and ex- 
alted the character and evinced the importance of our 
infant navy. 



142 COMMAx\DS MEDITERRANEAN SQUADRON. 

In May of that year he was appointed to the com- 
mand of the frigate Constitution, then lying in Boston, 
which he was instructed to get ready for sea. In 
June he received orders to take charge of the squadron 
destined to act in the Mediterranean, as soon as it 
should be prepared ; consisting of seven sail, viz : — 
the Constitution, forty-four guns ; Philadelphia, forty- 
four — already on the station; Argus, eighteen; Siren, 
sixteen; Nautilus, sixteen; Vixen, sixteen; Enter- 
prise, fourteen. This force was committed to his 
direction, for the purpose of protecting effectually the 
commerce and seamen of the United States against 
the Tripolitan cruisers on the Atlantic ocean, the 
Mediterranean, and adjoining seas. 

The squadron sailed on the 13th of August, and 
reached Gibraltar on the 13th of September. Here 
Commodore Preble learned from Captains Bainbridge 
and Rogers, that they had seized and detained in 
the Mediterranean, several vessels belonging to the 
Emperor of Morocco, and evidently sailing with 
orders to cruise for Americans. In consequence of 
this information, Preble wrote to Mr. Simpson, the 
American Consul at Tangier, desiring him to assure 
the court of Morocco, that the United States desired 
to maintain peace with his Majesty on proper terms ; 
but that he should punish as a pirate every Moorish 
cruiser who should be found to have taken an Ameri- 
can. Rogers was to remain a few days on the station, 
and then join Commodore Preble in Tangier bay, to 
assist adjusting affairs with the Emperor. 

On the 17th, Preble hoisted a white flag in Tangier 
bay, where he appeared with the Constitution and 
John Adams, having on board the principal Moorish 



VISIT TO THE EMPEROR. 143 

officers of the prizes taken by Bainbridge and Rogers. 
The American consul was not allowed to come on 
board, but remained confined in his house, guarded 
by sentinels, and having no communication with the 
ship, but by writing on an open slip of paper. The 
Emperor was at Fez, at this time, and the governor 
at Tetuan. 

Preble believed that the Moorish court had long 
meditated war, and waited only a favourable oppor- 
tunity for declaring it. He determined, therefore, to 
take a decided course, and convince the Emperor that 
the system of concession was abandoned. Rogers 
would co-operate with him ; and Preble gave orders 
to his squadron to bring in for examination all vessels 
belonging to the Emperor and his subjects. He also 
despatched several vessels to cruise off the coast of 
Morocco, and the Philadelphia and Vixen to lie before 
Tripoli. 

The American consul explained these hostile move- 
ments to the Emperor, who repHed, that if the 
governor's orders to capture and detain American 
vessels, had been given under a general discretion, he 
would refuse his sanction to them. 

On the 5th of October, the Commodore anchored 
in Tangier bay, a;bout a mile and a half from the cir- 
cular battery, having the Nautilus in company. The 
frigates New York and John Adams joined him on 
the 6th ; and, on the same day, his Moorish Majesty 
arrived, and encamped on the beach, opposite the 
squadron, with a force of about five thousand foot 
and horse. Preble ordered the ship to be dressed, 
and a salute of twenty-one guns to be fired, to which 
the battery returned an equal number. The same 



144 TREATY WITH TKE EMPEROR. 

was done by the other frigates the following morning. 
The Emperor ordered a present of bullocks, sheep 
and fowls for the squadron, as a token of good will ; 
and the consul gave information that the negotiation 
would be opened on the arrival of the Emperor's 
minister. 

On the 8th, the Emperor visited the beach in order 
to view the squadron. The Constitution fired the 
usual salute of twenty-one guns, which greatly grati- 
fied his Majesty. Several respectable Moors — among 
them the captain of the port — came off to see their 
friends, who were prisoners on board. The consul 
gave notice next day that the Emperor had ordered 
the release of the American brig at Mogadorc, and 
that the 11th was appointed for an audience with the 
Commodore. On the day assigned, Preble landed 
and repaired to the court, accompanied by Col. Lear, 
Mr. Morris, and two midshipmen. He desired, in 
case of any forcible detention, that the commanding 
oflicer on board would enter into no treaty for his 
release; but open an immediate fire upon the town. 
They were ushered into the presence of the court 
with the usual formalities, and conversed for some 
time with the Emperor through an interpreter. His 
Majesty expressed much sorrow that any difference 
had occurred, disavowed having given any hostile 
orders, declared he would restore all American ves- 
sels, detained in consequence of any of his governor's 
acts, and offered to renew the treaty of 1786, 

The Commodore and consul, on the part of the 
United States, promised that the Emperor's property 
should be restored, and the orders of capture revoked. 
An interview was then held with the minister, the 



TRIPOLITAJV WAR. M'5 

details settled, and the mutual stipulations were forth- 
with executed. The Emperor furnished a formal 
ratification of the treaty of 1786, and a letter of peace 
and amity to the President. Thus, by the happy 
union of prudence and energy, seconded by a compe- 
tent force, we escaped war with a power, from his 
formidable situation, and placed our affairs with him 
in a better condition than before the variance. 

The Commodore having nothing at present to fear 
from Morocco, was at liberty to direct his principal 
attention to Tripoli. The season, however, was too 
far advanced for active and permanent operations 
against the enemy. Yet this officer did not indulge 
himself in repose, or suffer his forces to be idle. In 
cruising, where they necessarily at this time of year 
encountered a rough sea and tempestuous weather, in 
supplying convoy, and in maintaining the blockade of 
Tripoli, when practicable, the squadron was fully and 
arduously employed. It was apparent that the Com- 
modore aimed to do all that was possible, and not 
merely what was convenient. The Philadelphia and 
Vixen had been ordered to the coast of Tripoli. The 
Commodore now formally declared the blockade of 
that place, and sent notice of the fact to the ministers 
and consuls of the United States, to be communicated 
to the respective neutral powers. He found it ex- 
pedient to go to Cadiz, in order to make up his 
complement of men, and procure a few supplies not 
to be obtained at that time at Gibraltar. An un- 
pleasant circumstance, not expected, seldom before 
experienced by our public vessels, and afterwards 
remedied by orders of Lord Nelson, made him willing 
to shorten his stay at the last mentioned port. Several 
T 13 



146 LOSS OF THE PHILADELPHIA. 

commanders of British ships of war lying there, in- 
sisted on retaining those deserters from the Commo- 
dore's squadron, who were believed to be British 
subjects. It was indispensable to the exercise of 
discipline, to be protected in his right to his own 
seamen. The refusal of this essential courtesy, in 
the present instance, was one reason of his fixing on 
Syracuse, instead of Malta, for his rendezvous. 

Our officer returned from Cadiz on the sixth of 
November; and having allotted the Argus, Captain 
Hall, to the Gibraltar station, and disposed of his 
other force, he proceeded to Algiers, where he was 
to leave Colonel Lear, the consul general. On the 
22d, he sailed from Algiers for Syracuse ; and on his 
voyage was informed of the disastrous loss of the 
Philadelphia, Captain William Bainbridge. On the 
31st of October, after pursuing a Tripolitan corsair 
till she came to seven fathoms water, in beating off, 
she ran on a rock, not laid down in any chart, about 
four and a half miles from the town. Every exertion 
to get her off proved ineffectual. Meanwhile she was 
attacked by numerous gunboats, which she withstood 
for four hours, whilst the careening of the ship made 
the guns totally useless. A reinforcement coming 
off, and no possible means of resisting them appear- 
ing, the captain submitted to the horrid necessity of 
striking to his barbarous enemy. They took posses- 
sion of the ship, and made prisoners of the officers 
and men — in number three hundred — with robbery, 
violence, and insult. In forty-eight hours, the wind 
blowing in shore, the Tripolitans were able to get off 
the frigate, and having raised her guns, towed her into 
the harbour of Tripoli. The Commodore appre- 



CAPTURE OF A KETUH. 147 

hcnded the worst from this diminution of his force — 
a war with Tunis, and perhaps, with Algiers, at least, 
a protraction of the present war. He could not but 
hope the government would repair this loss by another 
frigate in the spring, and also would furnish him with 
more small vessels or gunboats. His idea of the 
amount and distribution of force to be desired, he 
mentions in a subsequent letter, observing — " we 
ought to have a brig and schooner to cruise between 
Cape Bon and Sicily; a brig or schooner o(F Cape 
Margaret, to the south of Tripoli ; a brig on the coast 
of Calabria; two frigates, with one schooner and some 
gun and mortar boats, before Tripoli, and a brig and 
schooner to cruise from Derne to Bengaza. With 
such a force, so disposed, Tripoli might soon be 
brought to any terms we might please to dictate." 

He proceeded to Syracuse, where he was received 
with much hospitality, and aided by the governor with 
the accommodations he needed for his squadron. He 
also found Sir Alexander Ball, at Malta, (which he 
soon visited,) disposed to show him every good office. 
December 14th, he sailed with the Enterprise, on a 
winter cruise, amidst boisterous weather; for many 
days it blew a gale. On the morning of the 23d, the 
Enterprise captured a ketch in sight of Tripoli, which 
left that port in the night, bound to Bengaza. She 
was under Turkish colours, and navigated by Turks 
and Greeks ; but had on board two Tripolitan officers 
of distinction, a son of one of the officers, a number 
of Tripoline soldiers, and forty or more blacks — men 
and women — slaves belonging to the Bashaw and his 
subjects. He at first determined to release the vessel 
and men claimed by the Turkish captain, and retain 



148 BURNING OF THE PHILADELPHIA. 

the Tripolincs, about sixty in number, as prisoners , 
hoping they would afford an advantage in negotiation, 
and, perhaps, be exchanged for some of our country- 
men. Before this determination was executed, he 
ascertained that the captain had been active in taking 
the Philadelphia. Having received on board this 
very vessel one hundred Tripolitans, armed with 
swords and muskets, and substituted the colours of 
the enemy for his own, he assaulted the frigate, and 
when she was boarded, plundered the officers. He 
had no hesitation in retaining the vessel ; because she 
was either a Tripoline, and then a prize, or a Turk, 
and then a pirate. She was not in a condition to be 
sent to the United States. He transmitted her 
papers to government, and, some time after, had her 
appraised, and took her into the service as the ketch 
Intrepid. 

February 3d, 1804, Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, 
with seventy volunteers, in the Intrepid, and accom- 
panied by the Syren, sailed for Tripoli, with a view 
to destroy, as they could not in any event expect to 
bring out the frigate Philadelphia. On the ICth, the 
service was accomplished in the most gallant manner. 
Lieutenant Decatur entered the harbour of Tripoli 
in the night; and laying his vessel alongside the 
frigate, boarded and carried her against all opposition. 
A large number of men were on board, of whom 
twenty or thirty were slain, and the remainder driven 
over the side, excepting one boat's crew, which 
escaped to the shore, and one person made prisoner. 
The assailants then set fire to her and left her. She 
was soon in a complete blaze, and was totally 
consumed. The frigate lay within half gun-shot of 



BLOCKADE OF TRIPOLI. 149 

the castle and the principal battery, with her guns 
mounted and loaded, and two corsairs, full of men, 
were riding very near. We had none killed, and 
only one wounded. 

From this time till the bombardment of Tripoli, 
the Commodore was occupied in cruising, in keeping 
up the blockade of the Tripoline harbour, and in 
making preparations for an attack. He took the 
utmost pains to convey supplies and information to 
Captain Bainbridge, and his officers and men ; and, 
after a time, by means of the good offices of Sir 
Alexander Ball, succeeded. He tried several times 
to negotiate for a ransom and treaty; but the demands 
of the regency were sometimes ridiculously extrava- 
gant, and, when lowest, beyond what he thought 
himself permitted to accord. The designs of warfare 
he had entertained were checked by a solicitude for 
the release of his countrymen ; though he may, by 
some persons, perhaps, be thought to have indulged 
too far his aversion to the payment of a considerable 
ransom. He found himself able to make their situa- 
tion as comfortable as the nature of it would admit; 
and he believed that the infliction of suffering and 
terror, when the time should come, upon the enemy, 
would not produce, as it did not, any long continued 
aggravation of the evils of their condition, while it 
would essentially serve his country. Indeed, after 
the destruction of the Philadelphia, the Bashaw at 
first affected to avenge himself by a severer treatment 
of the captives; but this was not long persisted in. 
It was supposed that in case of a formidable attack 
on the town, the worst that would happen to them 
would be to be taken into the country for safe keeping. 

13* 



150 FRENCH MEDIATION. 

It must, however, be confessed impossible for any 
one to have said to what lengths the fury and fanati- 
cism of that people might go, if no concession was 
made to their pride or avarice, or the pressure of the 
war should drive them to desperation ; our unfortu- 
nate countrymen must often have shuddered at the 
thought of their possible destiny. When the First 
Consul of France, in March, at the instance of Mr. 
Livingston, directed his commissary at this regency 
to mediate for their release, Mr* Beaussier undertook 
the office ; and announced to the Commodore, that 
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, with some 
usual gratuities, would probably effect the object, and 
that, perhaps, a cartel for the exchange of prisoners 
might be negotiated, which would reduce the sum. 
The Commodore did not think himself authorized to 
agree to these terms, and never would go beyond 
eighty thousand ; not that the amount was important, 
except on principle, and as it might affect our rela- 
tions to the other Barbary powers. In June, the 
Russian court, through their minister at the Porte, 
interposed ; but did not bring the regency to our con- 
ditions. From first to last, it was a point of honour 
with his excellency, the Bashaw, not to give up the 
American captives for a less sum than had been 
usually received from most of the powers of Europe, 
in turn for the ransom of captives of like number and 
quality. Even after the bombardment in the ensuing 
summer, he was not ready to yield, though he was 
really sick of the war. In his view, he was conquered 
when he ceased to be amply paid for his prisoners. 
He finally accepted sixty thousand dollars, satisfied, 
no doubt, that our naval armament would be coeval 



THE BEY OF TUNIS. 151 

at least with his hostility, if not at all times equally 
active and formidable ; but especially at that moment 
apprehensive that his brother's general, Eaton, if not 
disarmed by negotiation, would reinstate Hamet in 
the sovereignty of Tripoli. 

On the 1st of April, the Commodore went to dis- 
play force at Tunis ; where he found a Tripoline 
polacre dismantled, having been blockaded for sixteen 
days by Captain Decatur. The Bey of Tunis had, 
for some time, been uneasy at his treaty with the 
United States. Why should he not, like Algeirs, 
have an annual stipend ? He insisted that the Com- 
modore should land and satisfy him for some property 
alleged to be unlawfully seized by the former squadron. 
The Commodore made a short answer, that it was 
not his business, and that he must put to sea. He 
found it necessary to watch Tunis during the whole 
of his command. In the spring he took another 
prize, a Tripoline ; and, upon the presumption of her 
being condemned, she was estimated, equipped, andl 
put in commission, called the Scourge. 

Finding that force did not arrive from the United 
States, our officer resolved to endeavour to make some 
use of the friendship of Naples. Although he was 
without diplomatic authority, the minister. General 
Acton, from personal respect and good will to the 
service, favoured his application to the King, and 
the Commodore obtained, as a friendly loan from the 
King to the United States, six gunboats and two 
bomb vessels, completely fitted for service ; also 
liberty to ship twelve or fifteen Neapolitans to serve 
under our flag in each boat. 

With this addition to his armament, on the 2lst 



152 FORCE OF THE COMBATANTS. 

July he joined the detachment off Tripoli. His force 
consisted of the frigate Constitution, forty-four guns, 
twenty-four lb. ; brig Argus, eighteen guns, twenty- 
four lb. ; brig Syren, eighteen guns, eighteen lb. ; 
Scourge ; schooner Vixen, sixteen guns, six lb. ; 
schooner Nautilus, sixteen guns, six lb; Enterprise, 
fourteen guns, six lb. ; six gunboats of one brass 
twenty-six poundel" each ; and two bombard ketches, 
each carrying a thirteen inch mortar; the whole 
number of men one thousand and sixty. 

The enemy had on his castle and several batteries, 
one hundred and fifteen guns; fifty-five of which 
were heavy battering brass cannon — the others long 
eighteen and twelve pounders ; nineteen gunboats, 
with each a long brass eighteen or twenty-four 
pounder in the bow and two howitzers abaft. He 
had two schooners of eight guns each, a brig of ten, 
and two gallics, having each four guns. In addition 
to the ordinary Turkish garrison, stationed upon the 
fortifications, and the crews of the boats and armed 
vessels, computed at about three thousand, the Bashaw 
had called in to the defence of his city more than 
twenty thousand Arabs. These forces were arranged 
in the positions best adapted for repelling an attack, 
and also for seizing the occasion of falling upon any 
detachment of the invading force, which could be 
drawn from the main body.* 

The weather prevented the squadron from ap- 
proaching the enemy till the 28th, when, after 

* A detail of the operations of the American fleet in the Mediter • 
rancan, by W. Eaton, Esq., compared with Commodore Preble's 
despatches, journal, correspondence, and other letters from officers in 
the squadron, have supplied the facts in the narrative from which the 
following sketch is compiled. 



BOMBARDMENT OF TRIPOLI. 153 

anchoring within two and a half miles of his line of 
defence, the wind suddenly shifted and increased to 
a gale. They were compelled to weigh and gain an 
oiling. On the 1st of August, the gale subsided, and 
the squadron on the 3d, (the weather being pleasant 
and the wind at east,) at noon were within two or 
three miles of the batteries, which were all closely 
manned. 

The Commodore, observing that several of the 
enemy's boats had taken a station without the reef 
of rocks, which covers the entrance of the harbour, 
about two miles from its bottom, resolved to take ad- 
vantage of this circumstance, and made signal for the 
squadron to come within speaking distance, when he 
communicated to the several commanders his inten- 
tion of attacking the shipping and batteres. The 
gun and mortar boats were immediately manned, and 
prepared to cast off. The gunboats in two divisions 
of three each— the first division under Captain Somers 
on board No. 1, with Lieutenant James Decatur in 
No. 2, and Lieutenant Blake in No. 3. The second 
division under Captain Decatur in No. 4, with Lieu- 
tenant Bainbridge in No. 5, and Lieutenant Trippe 
in No. 6. The two bombards were, commanded by 
Lieutenant commandant Dent, and by Mr. Robinson, 
first lieutenant of the Commodore's ship. At half-past 
one o'clock, the squadron stood for the batteries — at 
two, cast off the gunboats ; at half-past two, signal 
for the bombs and boats to advance and attack, and 
in fifteen minutes after, signal was given for general 
action. It was commenced by the bombs throwing 
shells into the town. In an instant the enemy's lines 
opened a tremendous fire from not less than two 
U 



154 EXPLOITS OF DECATUR. 

hundred guns, which was promptly returned by the' 
whole squadron, now within musket-shot of the prin- 
cipal batteries. 

At this moment Captain Decatur, with his three 
gunboats, attacked the enemy's eastern division, con- 
sisting of nine. He was soon in the centre of them, 
and the fire of grape, langrage and musketry was 
changed to a deadly personal combat with the bayonet,^ 
spear, sabre and tomahawk. Captain Decatur grap- 
pled one of the enemy's boats, and boarded with but 
fifteen men. He parried the blows of five Turks, 
who fell upon him with scimetars, so as to receive no 
injury, till a blow from the boat's captain, a powerful 
Turk, cleft his blade in two. He instantly closed with 
the Turk, but, overpowered by muscular strength, he 
fell under him across the gunnel of the boat. In this 
position he drew a side pistol, and killed his antago- 
nist. Meantime, his sergeant and a marine soldier, 
seeing his danger, flew to his relief, and engaged and 
slew the other four assailants. By this time the other 
thirteen men had vanquished the residue of the crew, 
thirty-one in number, and the boat's colours were 
hauled down. Captain Decatur left this boat in 
charge of an officer, and immediately with Lieutenant 
M'Donough, and eight men beside himself, laid another 
boat on board, which he carried, after a desperate and 
bloody encounter of a few minutes. The fierce des- 
peration of the Arnaout Turks, who value themselves 
on never yielding, made the slaughter of the enemy in 
these conflicts immense. The two prizes of Captain 
Decatur had thirty-three officers and men killed, and 
twenty-seven made prisoners, nineteen of whom were 
severely wounded. 




(15£) 



EXPLOITS OF LIEUTEJNTANT TRIPPE. 157 

Lieutenant Trippe boarded one of the enemy's 
large boats with only a midshipman, Mr. Jonathan 
Henley, and nine men. His boat falling off before 
any more could join him, he was left to conquer or 
perish with the fearful odds of eleven to thirty-six. 
In a few minutes, however, though for a moment the 
victory seemed dubious, the enemy was subdued ; 
fourteen of them lost their lives, and twenty-two sub- 
mitted to be prisoners ; seven of whom were badly 
wounded. Lieutenant Trippe received eleven sabre 
wounds, some of which were deep and dangerous. 
The blade of his sword also yielded. He closed with 
the enemy; both fell, but, in the struggle, Trippe 
wrested the Turk's sword from him, and with it 
pierced his body. Mr. Henley, in this encounter, 
displayed a valour joined to a coolness that would 
have honoured a veteran. Lieutenant Bainbridge 
had his lateen-yard shot away, which baffled his ut- 
most exertions to get alongside the enemy's boats; 
but his active and well directed fire within musket 
shot was very effective. At one time he had in his 
ardour pushed forward so that his boat grounded 
within pistol shot of one of the enemy's formidable 
batteries, and where he was exposed to volleys of 
musketry. But, by address and courage, he ex- 
tricated himself from this situation, and, so ill- 
directed was the enemy's fire, without receiving any 
injury. 

Captain Somers was not able to fetch far enough 
to windward, to co-operate with Decatur. But he 
bore down upon the leeward division of the enemy, 
and, with his single boat, within pistol-shot attacked 
five full manned boats, defeated and drove them in a 

14 



158 DEATH OF LIEUTENANT DECATUR. 

shattered condition, and with the loss of many lives, 
under shelter of the rocks. 

Lieutenant Decatur, in No. 2, engaged with one of 
the enemy's largest hoats, which struck after the loss 
of the greatest part of her men. At the moment this 
brave young officer was stepping on board his prize, 
he was shot through the head by the Turkish captain, 
who, by this means, escaped, while the Americans 
were recovering the body of their unfortunate com- 
mander. 

The two bomb vessels kept their station, although 
often covered with the spray of the sea, occasioned by 
the enemy's shot. They kept up a constant fire and 
threw a great number of shells into the town. Five 
of the enemy's gunboats and two gallies, composing 
their centre division, stationed within the rocks, joined 
by the boats which had been driven in, and reinforced, 
twice attempted to row out and surround our gun- 
boats and prizes. They were as often foiled by the 
vigilance of the Commodore, who gave signal to the 
brigs and schooners to cover them, which was properly 
attended to by these vessels, all of which were gal- 
lantly conducted, and annoyed the enemy exceedingly. 
The fire of the Constitution had its ample share in 
this bombardment. It kept the enemy's flotilla in 
constant disorder, and produced no inconsiderable 
effect on shore. The frigate was constantly in easy 
motion ; and always found where danger threatened 
to defeat the arrangements of the day. Several times 
she was within two cables' length of the rocks, and 
three of the batteries, every one of which were suc- 
cessively silenced as often as her broadside could be 
brought to bear on them ; but having no larjre vessels 



CLOSE OF THE ACTION. 159 

to secure these advantages, when circumstances com- 
pelled her to change her position, the silenced batteries 
were reanimated. " We suffered most," says the 
Commodore, ''when wearing or tacking. It was 
then I most sensibly felt the want of another frigate." 

At half-past four, the wind inclining to the north- 
ward, and at the same time the enemy's flotilla having 
retreated behind coverts which shielded them from 
our shot, while our people were necessarily much ex- 
hausted by two hours and a half severe exertion, signal 
was given for tlie gunboats and bombs to retire from 
action ; and, immediately after, to the brigs and 
schooners to take the gunboats and their prizes in 
tow, which was handsomely executed, the whole 
covered by a heavy fire from the Constitution. In 
fifteen minutes the squadron was out of reach of the 
enemy's shot, and the Commodore hauled off to give 
tow to the bomb ketches. 

The squadron were more than two hours within 
grapeshot distance of tlie enemy's batteries, and under 
a constant fire. But the damage received was in no 
proportion to the apparent danger, or to the effect 
produced by the assailants. The frigate took a 
thirty-two pound shot in her mainmast, about thirty 
feet from the deck, her sails and rigging were con- 
siderable cut; one of her quarterdeck guns was in- 
jured by a round shot, which burst in pieces and 
shattered a mariner's arm, but not a man was killed 
on board of her. The other vessels and boats suffered 
in their rigging, and had sundry men wounded, but 
lost none except Lieutenant Decatur, the brother of 
the Captain Decatur, so conspicuous in this war. 
Several circumstances explain this impunity of Our 



160 LOSS OF THE ENEMY. 

squadron. Where the engagement was close — as 
with the boats — the impetuosity of the attack as well 
as our more dexterous use of the weapons of de- 
struction overpowered and appalled the enemy. The 
barbarians are unskilful gunners. The shower of 
grapeshot annoyed and discomposed them in the 
aplication of what little skill they possessed. The 
assailing party were so near as to be overshot by 
the batteries ; especially as the managers of the guns 
were so fearful of exposing their heads above the 
parapets, as easily to oversight their object. 

Very different was the result of this conflict to the 
enemy. The American fire was not an empty peal, 
but a messenger of death in every direction. The 
three captured boats had one hundred and three men 
on board, forty-seven of whom were killed, twenty-six 
wounded, and thirty only fit for duty. Three other 
boats were sunk with their entire crews, and the 
decks of their vessels in the harbour were swept of 
numbers. The effect on shore was not so great as 
in the shipping, but still such as to spread consterna- 
tion. Several Turks were killed and wounded, and 
many guns of the fort dismounted, and the town was 
considerably damaged. 

As might be expected,, the bombardment made a 
powerful impression on the mind of the enemy. The 
burning of the Philadelphia could not fail to make 
the Bashaw and his people apprehend something 
serious from the present commander. When the 
squadron was seen standing in, however, he affected 
contempt, and surveying them from his palace, ob- 
served, " they will mark their distance for tacking ; 
thoy are a sort of Jews who have no notion of fight- 



OPINJONS OF THE TURKS. 161 

ing." The palace and terraces of the houses were 
crowded with spectators to see the chastisement the 
Bashaw's boats would give the squadron, if they 
approached too near. This exultation was very 
transient. The battle was scarcely joined, when no 
one was seen on shore, except on the batteries. 
Many of the inhabitants fled into the country ; and 
the Bashaw, it is said, retreated, with his priest, to 
his bomb-proof room. An intelligent officer of the 
Philadelphia, then in captivity, observes, that the 
Turks asked if those men that fought so were Ame- 
ricans, or infernals in Christian shape, sent to 
destroy the sons of the Prophet. "The English, 
French and Spanish consuls," say they, " have told 
us that they are a young nation, and got their inde- 
pendence by means of France ; that they had a small 
navy and their officers were inexperienced, and that 
they were merely a nation of merchants, and, that, by 
taking their ships and men, we should get great 
ransoms. Instead of this, their Preble pays us a coin 
of shot, shells, and hard blows ; and sent a Decatur, 
in a dark night, with a band of Christian dogs fierce 
and cruel as the tiger, who killed our brothers and 
burnt our ships before our eyes." 

On the 5th August, the Commodore prevailed on a 
French privateer which had left Tripoli that morning, 
to return with fourteen wounded Tripolines, whose 
wounds had been carefully dressed, and whom the 
Commodore sent with a letter to the Bashaw's min- 
ister. These prisoners, it is said, informed the prince 
that the Americans in battle were fiercer than lions, 
but, in the treatment of their captives, were even more 
kind than the Musselman. The barbarian at first 
X 14* 



162 SECOND BOMBARDMENT. 

misunderstood the motive of sending these men, but 
afterwards professed to be pleased "with the act, and 
said if he took any wounded Americans they should 
be likewise returned ; but he would not restore any 
of the Philadelphia's crew. On the 7th, the privateer 
returned with a letter from the French consul signi- 
fying that the Bashaw had very nuich lowered his 
tone ; and would probably treat on reasonable terms. 
But nothing definite or satisfactory being proposed 
by the enemy, and the terms intimated being higher 
than the commander was willing or felt authorized to 
make, he prepared for a second attack. The bomb 
vessels, under lieutenants Crane and Thorne, were to 
take a station in a small bay west of the town, whence 
they could distress the town, without being much 
exposed themselves ; the gunboats were to be opposed 
to a seven gun battery, and the brigs and schooners 
to support them in case the enemy's flotilla should 
venture out. At half-past two, the assault was made. 
Within two hours six of the seven guns were silenced. 
Forty-eight shells and about five hundred round shot, 
twenty-four pounders, were thrown into the town and 
batteries, when, between five and six, P. ]M., the 
squadron retired Irom action. During the engage- 
ment, the enemy's gunboats and gallics manoeuvred 
to gain a position to cut oil' the retreat of ours; but 
the larger vessels were so arranged as to defeat their 
design. 

In this rencounter, at about half-past three, one of 
the prize boats was blown up by a hot shot from the 
enemy's battery, which passed through her magazine. 

She had on board twenty-eight ofiicers, seamen, 
and marines, ten of whom were killed, and six 



REINFORCEMENT EXPECTED. 163 

wounded, among the former were Mr. James Cald- 
well, first lieutenant of the Siren, and Mr. J. Dorsey, 
midshipman. Mr. Spence, midshipman, and eleven 
men were taken up unhurt. This young officer, was 
superintending the loading of a gun when the explo- 
sion took place. He, with the survivors, finished the 
loading, and having discharged her, wliilst tlic boat 
was sinking, jumped into the sea and was taken up 
by another boat. The loss this day was twenty-two 
killed, and six wounded, two of them mortally. 

It was afterwards ascertained that the enemy suf- 
fered less at this time than on the third. 

At eight, in the evening, the John Adams, Captain 
Chauncey, joined the squadron. By him the Com- 
modore had the first official notice that four frigates 
were on their passage to reinforce his detachment. 
At the same time also he learned, that, by the appoint- 
ment of a senior ofliccr to one of the frigates, he would 
be superseded in the command. The government 
were highly satisfied with the Commodore, but they 
had not a sufficient number of captains, juniors to 
Preble, to supply all the frigates sent out ; and they 
did not think the saving ojf his feelings would justify 
the creation of any others. Had they, however, 
known or anticipated his brilliant success at this 
time, they would, probably, have ventured upon pro- 
moting one or two of the gallant lieutenants in the 
Mediterranean, in order to keep the Commodore in 
the chief command. 

As the frigates were to sail four days after the 
John Adams, further operations were suspended in 
expectation of their arrival. No assistance could be 
received from this frigate, as her guns had been 



164 THIRD BOMBARDMENT. 

stowed by the kelson, and their carriages put away 
in the other frigates, to make room for her cargo, she 
being sent out as a transport. 

Captain Chauncey received orders to remain on 
the station, that Commodore Preble might make use 
of his boats and men, should the delay of the expected 
reinforcement determine him to renew the attack. 
The squadron kept their station before the town, 
prepared to strike a decisive blow on the arrival of 
Commodore Barron. 

On the 0th, Commodore Preble, in the brig Argus, 
reconnoitered the harbour. The next day, a flag of 
truce was seen flying on the shore. The Commodore 
sent a boat on shore, which was not permitted to 
land, but returned with a letter from the French 
consul, advising the Commodore that the Bashaw 
would accept five hundred dollars each for the ransom 
of the prisoners, and terminate the war without any 
consideration or annuity for peace. 

The amount of the demand was about one hundred 
and fifty thousand dollars, which the Commodore re- 
jected, but, for the sake of the captives, and to save 
the further eflusion of blood, oflered eighty thousand, 
and ten thousand for presents. After beginning to 
treat with the French commissary general, the Bashaw 
suspended the negotiation, saying he would wait the 
result of another attack. On the night of the 23d, 
the bomb vessels, under protection of the gunboats, 
were sent in to bombard the town. The bombard- 
ment commenced at two, A. M., and continued till 
daylight; but, as it was subsequently ascertained, 
without much efiect. 

On tlie 27th, the weather proving favourable, the 



THE CASTLE AND TOWN ATTACKED. 165 

Commodore stood in for Tripoli, and anchored his 
ship two miles N. by E. from fort English; the light 
vessels keeping under way. A number of his officers 
and many of tlie seamen being employed in the boats, 
Captain Chauncey and several of his officers, with 
about seventy seamen, volunteered their services on 
board the Constitution, 

The gunboats, accompanied by the Syren, Argus, 
Vixen, Nautilus, Enterprise, and boats of the squad- 
ron anchored, at three in the morning, within pistol- 
shot of the enemy's lines, with springs on their cables, 
and commenced a brisk fire on their shipping, town, 
batteries, and castle, which was warmly returned. 
The ships' boats remained with the gunboats to assist 
in boarding the flotilla, in case it should come out, 
and the brigs and schooners were kept under way, 
either to harrass the enemy or to assist the gunboats. 
At daylight, apprehensive that the ammunition in 
the gunboats must be nearly exhausted, the Com- 
modore weighed anchor, and, standing in, under the 
direct fire of fort English, the castle, crown and mole 
batteries, made signal for the gunboats to retire from 
action. When arrived within a sure distance, he 
opened his battery with round and grapeshot, upon 
thirteen gunboats and gallies, which were closely en- 
gaged with ours ; sunk one of them, disabled two, and 
put the rest to flight. He continued running in until 
within musket shot of the batteries ; when he hove 
to, fired three hundred round shot, besides grape and 
canister, into the Bashaw's castle, town and batteries. 
He silenced the castle, and two of the batteries, and 
a little after six hauled oif 



166 ATTACK RENEWED. 

The gunboats fired four hundred round shot, be- 
sides grape and canister, with evident effect. 

A boat from the John Adams, with a master's 
mate and eiglit men on board, was sunk by a double- 
headed shot, which killed three seamen and badly 
wounded another. The effect of this attack was 
serious on shore. A thirty-six pound shot penetrated 
the castle and entered the apartment of the prisoners, 
and damage was done to houses, and some lives 
destroyed. 

The French commissary now renewed the negotia- 
tion for peace, but it was broken off in consequence, 
as he thought, of one of the squadron approaching 
the harbour, as a cartel, which, he said, was -inter- 
preted by the ignorant and mistrustful Bashaw as a 
proof of discouragement on the part of the invader. 

On the 3d September, the bomb ketches being re- 
paired, as well as the damages sustained by the other 
vessels in the action of the 27th, the squadron was 
again ready and disposed for another attack on the 
town and batteries. Between three and four o'clock, 
the action commenced and soon became general. As 
our gunboats bore down on the boats and gallies of 
the enemy, they gave ground, and retreated under 
cover of the musketry on shore. The brigs and 
schooners pursued with the gunboats as far as the 
depth of the water would permit, and within musket 
shot of fort English. The action in this quarter now 
became divided. The brigs and schooners with one 
division of the gunboats engaged fort English ; the 
other division continued engaged with the boats and 
gallies. 



THE FIRE SHIP. 167 

The two bomb ketches, while directing their shells 
into the town, were exposed to the direct fire from 
the Bashaw's castles, the crown, mole, and several 
other batteries. The Commodore, perceiving their 
danger, ran his ship between them and the batteries, 
within musket shot, where not less than seventy guns 
were brought to bear on him, and there discharged 
eleven broadsides with so good effect as to silence 
one of the principal batteries, and to injure the others 
and town materially. The wind veering to the north- 
ward and beginning to blow fresh, at half-past four, 
P. M., he gave signal to retire from action under 
cover of the Constitution. In this engagement, al- 
though the frigate and vessels were much damaged, 
not a man was lost. The bomb vessel commanded 
by Lieutenant Robinson had all her shrouds shot 
away, and was so shattered in the hull as to be kept 
above water with difficulty. The Argus received a 
thirty-two pound shot in her hull, which cut away a 
bower cable as it entered, and which so checked its 
velocity, that it fell upon deck without doing injury. 

The Commodore had for some time contemplated 
sending a fire ship into the harbour to destroy the 
flotilla, and, at the same time, to throw a quantity of 
shells into the town. Captain Somers volunteered 
in this service, and, with the assistance of Lieutenants 
Wadsworth and Israel, fitted out the ketch Intrepid 
for this expedition. An hundred barrels of gun- 
powder, and one hundred and fifty fixed shells were 
placed in the hold, with fuses and combustibles so 
applied, as to fire them without endangering the re- 
treat of the adventurers. On the evening of the 4th 
September, Captain Somers chose two fast rowing 



168 THE FIRE SHIP EXPLODES. 

boats from the squadron, to bring off the people, 
having fncd the vessel. His own boat was manned 
by four seamen from the Nautilus, with Lieutenant 
Wadsworth and six men from the Constitution. At 
eight, they parted from the squadron and stood into 
the harbour, convoyed b)^ tlie Argus, Vixen, and 
Nautilus, to within a short distance of the batteries. 
Having gained the inner harbour, and near at the 
point of destination, she was boarded and carried 
by two gallies of one hundred men each. At this 
moment, she exploded. The elfect was awful. Every 
battery was silenced, and not a gun was fired after- 
wards during the night. Captain Somers is said to 
have declared to a friend, that, in case the Intrepid 
should be boarded, as he was apprehensive, he would 
not be captured. There is every reason to believe 
that on the enemy proving successful, the captain 
seized a quick match and touched a train which com- 
municated instant fire to the mine — by which he and 
his brave companions found, with the enemy, a com- 
mon death. 

Nothing occurred after this till the two squadrons 
joined, on the t)th of September. Though Commo 
dore Barron took departure from the capes of Vir- 
ginia on the 5th July, and crossed the Atlantic to the 
Western Islands in sixteen days, they were fifty days 
on their passage thence to the coast of Tripoli, having 
experienced forty-one days head winds, and calms in 
the meantime. 

Here ended Mr. Preble's command, so honourable 
to himself, and in both its immediate and distant con- 
sequences important to his country. In naval tactics 
his "'"tivc and discerning mind anticipated tlie eflect 



SERVICES OF PREBLE. 169 

of long and familiar experience. In this enterprise, 
he displayed the rapidity of conception, and prompti- 
tude to act so requisite in critical circumstances, along 
with the foresight, circumspection, and steady perse- 
verance always necessary to success in difficult under- 
takings. The energy and intrepidity which marked 
his character, the passion for achieving deeds of 
honour that glowed in his breast, were emulated and 
shared by his oflicers, and fully seconded by his men, 
who thought mighty things easy under such a com- 
mander. His conduct of this war made an impres- 
sion on the African governments, that will not soon 
be effaced, and cannot fail, for a long period of time, 
to check their disposition to interrupt the peace that 
has been settled. 

All joined in the suffrage to the distinguished merits 
of the Commodore. His Holiness, the Pope, is said 
to have remarked, that he had done more towards 
humbling the antichristian barbarians on that coast, 
than all the Christian States had ever done. Sir 
Alexander Ball, in a letter dated September 20th, 
said — "I beg to repeat my congratulations on the 
services you have rendered your country, and the 
hair-breadth escapes you have had in setting a dis- 
tinguished example. Their bravery and enterprise 
are worthy a great and rising nation! If I were to 
offer my opinion, it would be that you have done well 
not to purchase a peace with the enemy. A few 
brave men have, indeed, been sacrificed, but they could 
not have fallen in a better cause, and I even conceive 
it advisable to risk more lives rather than submit to 
terms which might encourage the Barbary statds to 
add fresh demands and insults." 
Y 15 



170 TRIBUTES OF RESPECT. 

After the squadron joined, the Commodore obtained 
leave to return home, which he was the more willing 
to do, as it would give the command of a frigate to 
Captain Decatur. The officers joined in an address 
to their late commander, containing the strongest ex 
pressions of attachment and respect. The Congress 
of the United States voted the thanks of the nation 
and an emblematical medal, which were presented by 
the President with emphatic declarations of esteem 
and admiration. 

When the Commodore returned, he was received 
and treated every where with distinguished attention. 
His countrymen showed that they were proud of his 
fame, and grateful for his services. From this time 
he was much consulted and employed by the govern- 
ment in the management of their naval concerns — 
peace was the next year made with Tripoli, and the 
prisoners ransomed — and our navy was not again 
ordered abroad. 

In the latter part of the year 1806, the health of 
Mr. Preble began to decline. It was the same com- 
plaint — a debility of the digestive organs — under which 
he was near sinking a few years before. For many 
months he struggled with his disorder, indulging a 
hope of recovering till within ten days of his death. 
Finding that the inveteracy of his malady bid defiance 
to medical skill, he resolved on a water excursion as a 
last experiment. On Sunday, the 9th of August, 1807, 
he went on board a packet and stood out to sea, but 
finding no relief he returned on the Thursday follow- 
ing, sensible that the hour of his dissolution was ap 
proaching. In the view of this event he displayed 
the fortitude which became his character, and his 



DEATH OF COMMODORE PREBLE. 171 

exit was in full correspondence with his life. He 
breathed his last on Tuesday, the 25th of August, 
1807, in the forty-sixth year of his age. The inhabit- 
ants of Portland united in every mark of respect to 
his remains. On the day of his funeral, business was 
suspended, the colours were displayed at half mast 
from the shipping in the harbour, and he was interred 
with military honours and the ceremonies of religion 
and masonry. 

On the intelligence of his death reaching Washing- 
ton, the firing of minute guns and other marks of 
naval mourning were ordered in testimony of the 
honour due to the memory of a patriot and hero ; and 
of the unfeigned sorrow produced by his death. 

The person, air and countenance of Commodore 
Preble answered to his character. His features 
expressed strong passions along with manly and 
generous feelings. His attitude was erect yet easy 
and natural, his step firm, and his whole appearance 
and port were noble and commanding. In the calm 
of domestic life and the society of his equals, he was 
placid and aflfectionate ; in the exercise of authority, 
peremptory and rigid. But, though he made himself 
feared, and might be thought sometimes imperious 
and severe, yet he retained a strong interest in the 
affections of his officers and men, who were convinced 
of the goodness of his disposition and the sincerity 
of his friendship. If he failed in uniformly restrain- 
ing the impetuosity of his temper, he had no trait of 
arrogance, malignity or revenge in his nature. Signal 
instances of his humanity and generosity might be 
related. He was patient of labour, and in business 
was remarkable for exactness and despatch. He was 



172 



CHARACTER OF PREBLE. 



a kind neighbour and useful public-spirited citizen. 
He cherished his relatives with tenderness, and was 
the object of their fond regard. He had been several 
years married, and left a wife and one child — a son — 
to feel his loss, and to inherit the precious legacy of 
his honourable name. At the time he died, he had 
nearly completed an elegant mansion where, in the 
enjoyment of easy circumstances, and the society of a 
beloved family, he had looked for the repose endeared 
by past scenes of toil and danger. It pleased heaven 
to defeat his plans and terminate his prospects by 
untimely death, thus teaching us to value our life by 
the good and noble actions it contains, and not by 
the time it endures.* 

* Port Folio. 





THOMAS TRUXTUN. 

HE subject of the 
present memoir, 
whose deeds shed 
a lustre on the 
infant navy of his 
country, was the 
son of an eminent 
English barris- 
ter of the State 
(then Colony) of 
New York, and 
was born at Long Island^ on the t7th of February, 
1755. 

Our hero, in consequence of the death of his father, 
was placed under the guardianship of his intimate 
friend, John Troup, Esq., of Jamaica, on Long Island ; 
from whose affectionate care, however, in a short 

15* 1T3 




174 FIRST VOYAGE. 

tim€, the kindling spark of that spirit, which has since 
shone so conspicuously in his character, led him to 
the sea ; and, at the early age of twelve years, he 
embarked on his trial voyage, on board the ship Pitt, 
Captain Joseph Holmes, bound to Bristol. In the 
following year he was placed, at his own request, 
under the direction of Captain James Chambers — a 
celebrated commander in the London trade. During 
his apprenticeship, when the armament — in conse- 
quence of the dispute respecting the Falkland Islands; 
took place, he was impressed on board the Prudent, 
an English man of war of sixty-four guns ; but was 
afterwards released, in consequence of the application 
of a person in authority. While on board the Pru- 
dent, the captain, pleased with his intelligence and 
activity, endeavoured to prevail on him to remain in 
the service, and assured him that all his interest 
should be used for his promotion : but, notwith- 
standing the propects thus opened to his youthful and 
aspiring mind, as he conceived that his engagements 
with his former commander would not permit him 
with honour to indulge his wishes, he left the Prudent, 
and returned to his old ship. 

In the early part of 1775, he commanded a vessel, 
and was very successful in bringing considerable 
quantities of powder into the United Colonies ; but, 
about the close of the same year, when bound to St. 
Eustatius, he was seized, off the Island of St. Chris- 
topher, by the British frigate Argo, and detained until 
the general restraining bill came out, when his vessel 
and cargo, of which he owned the half, were con- 
demned. But what '' ill-wind" can wreck the buoy- 
ant mind of the sailor ? He made his way from St. 



CRUISE IN THE BRITISH CHANNEL. 175 

Christopher's to St. Eustatius, and thence, embarking 
in a small vessel, after a short passage, he arrived in 
Philadelphia. At this period, the two first private 
ships of war fitted out in the colonies, called the 
Congress and Chance, were equipping for sea, and he 
entered on board the former as lieutenant. They 
sailed in company, early in the winter of 1776, and 
proceeded off the Havana, where they captured several 
valuable Jamaica ships, bound home through the Gulf 
of Florida; of one of which he took the command, 
and brought her safe into Bedford, Massachusetts. 

In June 1777, in company with Isaac Sears, Esq., 
he fitted out, at New York, a vessel called the Inde- 
pendence of which he took the command, and, pass- 
ing through the Sound, (Lord Howe having arrived 
with the British fleet at Sandy Hook, and blocked 
up that outlet,) he proceeded off the Azores, where, 
besides making several other prizes, he fell in with a 
part of the Windward Island convoy, of which he 
captured three large and valuable ships ; one of which 
was much superior to the Independence in both guns 
and men. On his return, he fitted out the ship Mars, 
mounting upwards of twenty guns, in which he sailed 
on a cruise in the English channel. Some of his 
prizes, which were numerous, he sent into Quiberon 
bay, which, in a great measure, laid the foundation 
of Lord Stormont's remonstrance to the French 
court, against the admission into her ports of our 
armed vessels and their prizes. On his return from 
this cruise, he settled in Philadelphia, commanded, 
and, in part owned, during the rest of the war, several 
of the most important armed vessels built in this 
place ; and brought in from France and the West 



176 SEVERE ENGAGEMENT. 

India islands large cargoes of the articles, which, in 
those eventful times, were of the first necessity for 
tlie army. While carrying out to France, Thomas 
Barclay, Esq., our consul general to that country, 
he had a very close and severe engagement with a 
British privateer ship of war, of thirty-two guns, 
(double bis own force,) which he obliged to sheer off; 
and she was afterwards towed into New York, by 
one of the king's ships, in a very dismantled condi- 
tion. The ship, then under his command, was called 
the St. James, and mounted twenty guns, with a crew 
of about one hundred men — not half the number on 
board his enemy. 

Here let us pay a tribute of justice founded upon 
unquestionable authority. Captain William Jones, of 
Philadelphia, and lately a member of Congress, being, 
at this period, a very young man, was patronised 
by Truxtun, and placed on board the St. James, 
in capacity of third lieutenant; in this station he 
conducted himself so bravely and handsomely, and 
with such activity in this engagement, as well as on 
all other occasions, that he not only received the ap- 
plause of his commander, but was by him soon after 
promoted to the first lieutenancy of that ship ; and, at 
subsequent periods, Truxtun took pleasure, wherever 
opportunities presented, in doing justice to his merit, 
by rendering him that applause to which he was en- 
titled as an olficer and a man. This he uniformly 
practised to all who, from their deportment and vigi- 
lance in their profession, merited his notice, w^hile 
under his command. From this voyage he returned 
with the most valuable cargo brought into the United 
States during the war. It would be impossible for 



FRENCH WAR. 177 

US, within the limits of this sketch, to recount the 
various instances of activity and zeal displayed by 
this gallant officer, during our struggle for independ- 
ence, not only at sea, but on two remarkable occasions 
on the land. We content ourselves with observing, 
that in all his actions with British vessels of war — 
many of which were of force greatly superior to his 
own — he was, invariably, victorious. 

After the peace of 1 783, he turned his attention to 
commerce ; and was concerned in an extensive trade 
to Europe, China, and the East Indies, until the com- 
mencement of our naval establishment, in 179i; 
when, unable calmly to behold the rights of his coun- 
try invaded, he stepped forward at her call, and was 
one of the first six captains selected by President 
Washington. The frigate Constellation, of thirty-six 
guns, which he was destined to commmand, he was 
directed to superintend the building of, at Baltimore ; 
and she was the first one of that armament at sea. 

The quasi war, as it is called, between this country 
and France, under the Directory, having commenced, 
Commodore Truxtun, with a squadron under his 
command, was ordered to protect the commerce of 
the United States in the West Indies. It was while 
on this service that his brightest laurels were won, 
by the capture of two French frigates, each of supe- 
rior force to his own ship. 

On the 9th of February, the Constellation being 
alone cruising on her prescribed ground, the Island 
of Nevis bearing W. S. W., and distant five leagues, 
made a large ship on the southern board. The 
stranger being approached by the Constellation, 
showed the American colors, when the private signals 
Z 



178 CAPTURE OF THE INSURGENTE. 

were shown. The chase being unable to answer, 
further disguise was abandoned, and, hoisting the 
French ensign, he fired a gun to windward, by way of 
challenge, and gallantly awaited the contest. This 
being the first time since the revolutionary war that 
an American ship had encountered an enemy in any 
manner which promised a contest, the officers and men 
were eager for the engagement ; and the enemy were 
not inclined to avoid it. The ships neared, until the 
Constellation, after having been thrice hailed, opened 
a fire upon her antagonist. A fierce cannonade en- 
sued, while the American was drawing ahead. She 
suffered much in her sails and rigging, and the fore- 
topmast was nearly cut off by a shot. This was, in 
some degree, remedied by IMr. David Porter, a mid- 
shipman, who, being unable to communicate the cir- 
cumstance to others, himself cut the stoppers and 
lowered the yard, and thus prevented the fall of the 
mast with its rigging. In the meantime, their supe- 
rior gunnery gave tlie action a turn in favour of the 
Americans, who were at last enabled to decide the 
contest by two or three raking broadsides, after a 
combat of an hour, when the American wore round, 
and would again have raked her, with all their guns, 
had she not prudently struck. 

The prize was the French frigate LTnsurgente — 
one of the fastest vessels in the world. She was 
greatly damaged, and had lost in all seventy men. 
The Constellation also was much damaged in her 
rigging, but lost only three men — wounded — one of 
whom — Mr. James M'Donough — had his foot shot off. 

The Insurgente carried forty guns, and four 
Hundred and nine men. The American vessel car- 



PRIZE TAKEN TO ST. KITTS. 179 

ried thirty-eight guns, and three hundred and nine 
men. 

It was half-past three, in the afternoon, when the 
Insurgente struck, and Mr. Rodgers, the first lieute- 
nant of the Constellation was sent, together with Mr. 
Porter and eleven men, to take possession and have 
the prisoners removed ; but, ere this could be effected, 
the darkness and a rise of wind separated the ships. 

The situation of Rodgers, at this period, was un- 
pleasant in the extreme. No handcuffs were to be 
found, and the prisoners seemed disposed to rebel. 
Fortunately, Rodgers was well calculated to act with 
decision in such circumstances, and Porter and the 
men equally prompt in executing his orders. The 
prisoners were sent into the lower hold, and a sentinel 
stationed at each hatchway, with orders to shoot any 
one who should attempt to come upon deck without 
orders. Thus he was obliged to spend three days, at 
the end of which time he arrived at St. Kitts, where 
the Constellation had already arrived. 

On the 1st of February, 1800, the Constellation 
came in sight of a strange sail, off the coast of Gauda- 
loupe. Thinking her to be an English merchantman, 
Truxtun hoisted the English flag, in order to be hailed 
by her. This was disregarded, and sail made in 
pursuit, when the stranger was discovered to be a 
French man of war. The English flag was lowered, 
and all made ready for a desperate struggle. The 
enemy's ship was ascertained to carry fifty-two guns ; 
but the vessel being very deep, Truxtun was not dis- 
couraged by her superior force, but still gave chase. 
The wind being light during the afternoon, it was not 
until evening, at eight o'clock, that they came within 



180 CONSTELLATION AND L'VENGEANCE. 

speaking distance. The ship then opened a fire upon 
them ; which was returned, and kept up till near one 
in the morning, when the French ship made all sail 
to escape. Truxtun ordered to give chase ; but was 
informed that the mainmast had been nearly shot 
away, and, as it was found impossible to remedy it, 
the chase was given up. 

Soon after the ships separated, the mast fell, and 
several men were lost by the accident ; among them 
Mr. Jarvis, a midshipman. 

Mr. Truxtun, as no port to windward could be 
reached, bore up for Jamaica, where he arrived in 
safety. His antagonist, it was ascertained afterwards, 
arrived at Curacoa, in a very disabled condition, and 
reported a loss of fifty killed, and one hundred and 
ten wounded. The loss of the Constellation was 
fourteen killed, and twenty-three w^ounded, of whom 
eleven died. 

The Constellation, at this time, carried twenty- 
eighteens on her maindeck, and the quarterdeck was 
supplied w^ith ten twenty-four pound carronades. 
She numbered three hundred and ten men. The 
Vengeance, the French vessel, carried twenty-eight 
eighteens, sixteen tw^elves, and eight forty-two pound 
carronades. There are various statements of her 
crew — all between four hundred and five hundred 
men. 

It is certain that, but for the loss of her mast, the 
Constellation would have brought the prize into port; 
indeed, it is reported, that the Vengeance struck three 
times, but the Americans continuing their fire, the 
colours were hoisted agaiif. 

Commodore Truxtun was rewarded for this exploit 



DEATH OF TRUXTUN. 183 

by a promotion to the command of the President — 
forty-four guns; and was also presented by Congress 
with a gold medal. 

The Constellation was now given to Captain Mur- 
ray; and Commodore Truxtun, hoisting his broad 
pennant in the President, made another cruise on the 
Guadaloupe station, where he rendered eminent ser- 
vice in the protection of the American commerce 
against French cruisers, until the close of the war. 

When the Tripolitan war commenced, in 1802, 
Commodore Truxtun was ordered to take command 
of the Mediterranean squadron; and he proceeded to 
Norfolk for that purpose, when, finding that he was 
not to be allowed a captain in the flag ship, he ten- 
dered his resignation of the command. As the Navy 
Department chose to consider this step a resignation 
of his commission, the circumstance, unfortunately 
for his country, led to his retirement from public life,,,; 

After his retirement from the navy, Commodore 
Truxtun continued to reside in Philadelphia to the 
close of his life. He filled several important civil 
offices, and won from all classes of his fellow-citizens 
not less respect for his private character, than he had 
previously enjoyed for his brilliant public services. 
He died in \S22, at the age of sixty-seven. 

Commodore Truxtun was one of the bravest offi- 
cers the American navy can boast. His engagement 
with the Insurgente, as it resulted in the capture of 
a prize, and was the first action after the navy was 
re-organized, has procured him great celebrity ; but 
the action wuth the Vengeance, being with a ship of 
so greatly superior force, which was fairly conquered, 
and only enabled to escape by an accident, was justly 



184 



CHARACTER. 



regarded by Congress as the most deserving of a 
public testimonial of honour. Both these actions 
were of immense service, by inspiriting the officers 
and men of our marine, and bringing the navy once 
more into that high state of popularity which it had 
enjoyed in the tremendous and glorious period of the 
Revolution. » 





whole 

which 

listing 



JACOB JONES. 

N preparing the present 
notice of Comn:iodore 
S Jones's life, we have 
been chiefly indebted 
-^£ *o ^^^^ assistance of an 
^ eminent naval biogra- 
1 pher, vv^ho had the ad- 
vantage of serving as 
an officer under his 
command, during the 
of the late war with Great Britain — a war in 
the subject of this memoir was one of the most 
^uished of our commanders. 
2 A 16* 185 




186 EARLY LIFE. 

Jacob Jones, Esq., of the United Stales navy, 
was born about the year 1770, near the village of 
Smyrna, in the county of Kent, State of Delaware 
His father was an independent and respectable farmer, 
of excellent moral and religious character. His 
mother was of a good family of the name of Jones ; 
an amiable and interesting woman ; she died when 
the subject of this memoir was yet an infant. Be- 
tween two and three years afterwards, his father mar- 
ried again, with a Miss Holt, grandaughter of the 
Hon. Ryves Holt, formerly Chief Justice of the 
Supreme Court of Delaware; or, as it was then 
denominated, ''The lower counties on Delaware." 
Shortly after this second marriage his father died, 
when this his only child was scarcely four years of 
age. It was the good fortune of our hero to be left 
under tffc care of a stepmother, who had all the kind 
feelings of a natural parent. The alVection which 
this excellent woman had borne towards the father, 
was, on his death, transferred to the child. By her 
he was nurtured from infiuicy to manhood, with a 
truly maternal care and tenderness. At an early age 
he was placed at school, and his proficienc)' in learn- 
ing was equal to her most anxious wishes. After 
becoming well acquainted with the general branches 
of an English education, he was tranferred to a gram- 
mar school, at Lewes, in Sussex county, conducted 
by the learned and pious Dr. Matthew Wilson. 
Under his direction he read the classics with much 
assiduity, and became well acquainted with tlie Latin 
and Greek languages. The writer of this memoir 
distinctly remembers also, that in the geographical 
lessons he continually bore off the palm, and received, 



ABANDONS THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 187 

beyond all others, repeated proofs of approbation 
from his preceptor. At the age of eighteen, he left 
Lewes Academy, and entered on the study of physic 
and surgery, under Dr. Sykes, an feminent physician 
and surgeon of Dover, in the county of Kent. With 
him he diligently prosecuted his studies for four 
years, after which he attended the usual course ot 
medical lectures of the University of Pennsylvania, 
and then returned to Dover to commence the exer- 
cise of his profession. 

He did not, however, continue long in the practice. 
He found the field already engrossed by a number of 
able and experienced gentlemen of the faculty, among 
whom was the late lamented Dr. Miller, of New 
York. Discouraged by the scanty employment that 
is commonly the lot of the young physician, and im- 
patient of an inactive life, he determined to abandon 
the profession for the present, and seek some more 
productive occupation. This resolution was a matter 
of much regret among the elder physicians. They 
entertained a high opinion of his medical acquire- 
ments, and considered him as promising to become 
a distinguished and skilful member of their body. 
Governor Clayton, (who was himself an eminent phy- 
sician,) seeing that he was fixed in his determination, 
conferred upon him the clerkship of the Supreme 
Court of the State of Delaware, for the county of 
Kent. 

In this office he continued for some time, but the 
sedentary nature of its duties was uncongenial with 
his health and habits ; he longed to mingle in more 
active scenes, and possessed that ardent spirit of 
enterprise that can never rest contented with the 



188 ENTEKS THE NAVY. 

tranquil ease of common life. With a certain bravery 
of resolution, therefore, or, rather a noble unconcern, 
he turned his back upon the comforts and emoluments 
of office ; and resolved upon a measure, as indicative 
of the force of his character, as it was decisive of his 
future fortunes. This was to enter as midshipman 
into the service of his country, in the year 1779, when 
menaced with a French war. 

He was at this time almost twenty-nine years of 
age, highly respected for the solidity of his under- 
standing and his varied acquirements ; it may readily 
be imagined, therefore, how greatl}"" his friends were 
dissatisfied at seeing him in a manner taking a retro- 
grade step in life, entering upon that tedious pro- 
bation which the naval service peculiarly requires, 
and accepting a grade which is generally allotted to 
boys and striplings. It was in vain, however, to re- 
monstrate against a resolution, w^hich, once formed, 
never vibrated. Jones had determined on embracing 
the profession ; he liad weighed all the peculiar in- 
conveniences and sacrifices incident to his determi- 
nation, and had made up his mind to encounter and 
surmount them all. His friends could ^mily console 
themselves with the rcflection,that, if coui-ajl} activity 
and hardihood could ensure naval success, Jones was 
peculiarly fitted for the life he had adopted; and it is 
probable they felt some degree of admiration for that 
decision of character, which, in the pursuit of what 
he conceived a laudable object, could enable him to 
make such large sacrifices of personal pride and con- 
venience. 

The first cruises which he made in his new capacity 
were under the father of our infant navy, the late 



PRISONER IN TRIPOLI. 189 

Commodore Barry, from whom he derived great in- 
struction in the theory and practice of his profession, 
and experienced the utmost kindness and civihty. 
He was a midshipman on board the frigate United 
States, when she bore to France Chief Justice Ells- 
worth and General Davie, as envoys extraordinary 
to the French Republic. He was next on board of 
the Ganges as midshipman, and, during the wliole 
intervening period between his appointment and the 
war with Tripoli, he was sedulously employed in ob- 
taining that nautical skill for which he at present is 
celebrated. 

On the breaking out of the war with Tripoli, he 
was stationed on board of the frigate Philadelphia, 
under the command of the gallant Bainbridge. The 
disaster which befell that ship and her crew before 
Tripoli, forms a solemn page in our naval history ; 
atoned for, however, by the brilliant achievements to 
which it gave rise. Twenty months of severe cap- 
tivity among a barbarous people, and in a noxious 
climate, neither broke the spirit nor impaired the 
constitution of our hero. Blest by nature with vigor- 
ous health and an invincible resolution, when relieved 
from bondage by the bravery of his countrymen, he 
returned home full of life and ardour. He was soon 
after promoted to a lieutenancy. This grade he had 
nierited before his confinement in Tripoli, but older 
warrant otficers had stood in the way of his prefer- 
ment. 

He was now for some time employed on the Or- 
leans station, where he conducted himself with his 
usual judgment and propriety, and was a favourite 
in the polite circles of the Orleans and Mississippi 



J90 COMMANDS THE WASP. 

territories. He was shortly after appointed to the 
command of the brig Argus, stationed for the pro- 
tection of our commerce on the southern maritime 
frontier. In this situation he acted with vigilance 
and fidelity, and though there were at one time in- 
sidious suggestions to the contrary, it has appeared 
that he conformed to his instructions, promoted the 
public interest, and gave entire satisfaction to the 
government. 

In 1811, Captain Jones was transferred by the 
Secretary of the Navy to the command of the sloop 
of war the Wasp, mounting eighteen twenty-fo\ir 
pound carronades, and was despatched, in the spring 
of 1812; with communications from our government 
to its functionaries at the courts of St. Cloud and St. 
James. Before he returned from this voyage, war 
had been declared by the United States against Great 
Britain. Captain Jones refitted his ship with all 
possible despatch, and repaired to sea on a cruise, in 
which he met with no other luck than the capture of 
an inconsiderable prize. 

He sailed from the port of Philadelphia on the 13th, 
of October, 1812, with a gallant set of officers, and a 
high spirited and confident crew. On the 18th of the 
same month the Wasp encountered a heavy gale, during 
which she lost her jibboom and two valuable seamen. 
On the following night, being a bright moonlight, a 
seaman on the look out discovered five strange sail, 
steering eastward. The Wasp hauled to the wind- 
ward and closely watched the movements of these 
vessels until daylight next morning, being the 18th, 
when it was found that they were six lage merchant 
vessels under convoy of a sloop of war. The 



ACTION WITH THE FROLIC. 191 

former were well manned two of them mounting six- 
teen guns each. Notwithstanding the apparent dis- 
parity of force, Captain Jones determined to hazard 
an attack ; and as the weather was boisterous, and 
the swell of the sea unusually high, he ordered down 
top-gallant yards, closely reefed the top sails, and pre- 
pared for action. The convoy sailed ahead and lay 
to five or six miles distant, while the sloop of war 
with Spanish colours flying, remained under easy sail 
the Wasp coming down to windward on her larboard 
side, within pistol shot displaying the American ensign 
and pendant. Upon the enemy's being hailed, he 
hauled down the Spanish flag, hoisted the British en- 
sign, and opened a broadside of cannon and musketry. 
The fire was promptly returned by the Wasp, the 
vessels gradually neared each other, and each main- 
tained the combat with great animation the English 
vessel firing with most rapidity, but, as the result 
proved, with no great precision. In a few minutes 
after the commencement of the action, the main-top- 
mast of the Wasp was shot away, and falling on the 
topsail yard, across the larboard fore and foretop-sail 
braces, caused the head yards to be unmanageable 
during the continuance of the action. In two or 
three minutes more the gaft and mizzen top-gallant 
sail were shot away. Each vessel continued in the 
position in which the action commenced, and main- 
tained a close and spirited fire. Captain Jones di- 
rected his officers not to fire except when the vessel 
rolled downwards, so that the shot was either poured 
on the enemy's deck, or below it, while the English 
fired as soon as they had loaded, without regard to 
the position of their vessel, and thus their balls v/ere 



192 ACTION WITH THE FROLIC. 

either thrown away or passed through the rigging. 
The Wasp now passed ahead of the enemy, raked 
her, and resumed her original position. It was now 
obvious that the Wasp had greatly the advantage in 
the combat, and Captain Jones thought the contest 
might be speedily directed by boarding, but hesitated 
because the roughness of the sea might endanger the 
safety of both vessels if brought in contact. As, 
however, the braces and rigging of the Wasp was so 
injured by the shot of the enemy that he was fearful 
his masts being unsupported, would go by the board, 
and that the enemy might escape. He, therefore, de- 
termined at all hazards to board and thus decide the 
contest. With this determination he wore ship, run 
athwart the enemy's bow, so that the jibboom 
came in betv*'cen the main and mizzen rigging of the 
Wasp. The enemy being in a position so inviting 
for a raking broadside that one was promptly ordered. 
So closely in contact were the contending vessels 
that while loading, the rammers of the Wasp struck 
against the sides of the opposing vessel, so that two 
of the guns of the former entered through the bow of 
ports of the latter and swept the whole length of the 
deck. At this juncture a sprightly and gallant seaman, 
named Jack Lang, who had once been impressed on 
board a British man of war, jumped on a gun with his 
cutlass, and was about to leap on board the enemy, 
when Captain Jones ordered him back, wishing to give 
a closing broadside before boarding. His impetuosity, 
however, could not be restrained, and observing the 
ardour of the crew generally. Lieutenant Biddle and 
Booth gallantly led them on, but to their great sur- 
prise when they reached the enemy's deck not a single 



mm 




2B 



17 



(193) 



CAPTURE OF THE FROLIC. 195 

uninjured individual was found on deck except the 
seaman at the wheel, and three officers. The deck 
was covered with the dying and dead, and was 
slippery with blood. When Lieutenant Biddle 
reached the quarterdeck, the commander and two 
other officers, threw down their swords, and made 
an inclination of their bodies, thus affording evidence 
that they had surrendered. 

During the early part of the action the ensign of 
the enemy had been shot down, upon which a British 
seaman carried it aloft again and nailed it to the mast. 
In this state it continued floating, they not being able 
to lower it until one of the United States officers as- 
cended the rigging and tore it from its attachments. 
In forty-three minutes from the commencement of the 
action, full possession was taken of the enemy, which 
proved to be his Brittanic Majesty's sloop of war 
Frolic, commanded by Captain Whynyates. 

On examining the birthdeck, it was found crowded 
with the dead and wounded, there being but an 
inconsiderable proportion of the crew of the Frolic 
which had escaped unhurt. Soon after Lieutenant 
Biddle took possession of the enemy, her masts fell 
by the board, so that she lay a complete wreck. The 
contest being now terminated. Captain Jones ordered 
Dr. New, the assistant surgeon of the Wasp, to visit 
the wounded enemy, and to carry with him every 
thing on board, which could in any manner contribute 
to their comfort. 

The force of the Frolic consisted of sixteen thirty- 
two pound carronades, four twelve pounders on the 
maindeck, and two twelve pound carronades. She 



196 FORCE AND LOSS. 

was, therefore, superior to the Wasp, by four twelve 
pounders. The officers of the Frolic stated that the 
number of men on the ship's books was one hundred 
and ten ; but, as boats were seen plying between the 
Frolic and some of the convoy, in the morning, be- 
fore the action, it was believed that she received 
many volunteers in addition to her regular crew. 
This belief was strengthened by the circumstance, 
that one of the vessels in the convoy, came alongside 
the Wasp next morning after her capture, and asked 
assistance to reef his sails, as he had but two men 
and a boy on board. It was intimated that he had 
thus diminished his crew by allowing volunteers to 
go on board the Frolic. 

The officers, seamen, marines, and boys on board 
the Wasp, numbered one hundred and thirty-five ; 
which, from the best information which could be ob- 
tained, was less in number than that of the enemy. 
Both vessels, however, had more men than was es- 
sential to their efficiency; and the officers of the Frolic 
candidly acknowledged, that they had more men than 
they knew what to do with. It apppears, therefore, 
that while there was an equality of strength in the 
crews, there was an inequality in the number of guns 
and weight of metal — the Frolic having four twelve 
pounders more than the Wasp. 

The exact number of killed and wounded on board 
the Frolic could not be ascertained with any degree 
of precision ; but, from the admissions of the British 
officers, it was supposed that the number killed was 
about thirty, including two officers ; and of those 
wounded, between forty and fifty. The captain and 



CAPTURE OF THE WASP. 197 

every other officer on board were more or less 
severely wounded. The Wasp sustained a loss of 
only five men killed, and five wounded. 

A busy scene now ensued, in disposing of the dead, 
taking care of the wounded, and repairing the damages 
which the Wasp sustained during the conflict. Lieu- 
tenant Biddle, with a portion of the officers and crew 
of the Wasp were similarly engaged on board the 
Frolic. While engaged in erecting jurymasts on 
board the latter vessel, a suspicious sail was seen to 
windward, upon which Captain Jones directed Lieu- 
tenant Biddle to shape her course for Charleston, or 
any other southern port of the United, while the 
Wasp would continue her cruise. 

The strange sail coming down rapidly, both vessels 
prepared for action, but soon discovered, to the mor- 
tification of the victors of this well fought action, that 
the new enemy was a seventy-four, which proved to 
be the Poictiers, commanded by Commodore Beres- 
ford. Firing a shot over the Frolic, passed her, and 
soon overhauled the Wasp, which, in her crippled 
state, was unable to escape. Both vessels were thus 
captured, and carried into Bermuda. Captain Jones 
and his officers were placed on parole of honour at 
St. George's, Bermuda, and were treated there with 
great courtesy, particularly by the officers of the 
ninety-eighth and one hundred and second regiments 
of British infantry. Dinners, balls, and other acts 
of civility were tendered with a cordiality of manner 
which made our officers almost forget their mis- 
fortunes. 

After remaining in St. George's a few weeks, a 
cartel was prepared by which the officers and crew 

17* 



198 HONOURS CONFERRED ON CAPT. JONES. 

of the Wasp were conveyed to New York. On the 
return of Captain Jones to the United States, he was 
every where received with demonstrations of the 
highest respect and admiration for the skill and gal- 
lantry which he displayed in his combat with the 
enemy. In his journey to Washington, whither he 
was ordered by the President of the United States, 
he received brilliant entertainments in the cities 
through which he passed. 

The legislature of Delaware— his native state — 
gave to him a vote of thanks, and an elegant piece of 
plate, with appropriate engravings. On motion of 
James A. Bayard, of Delaware, the Congress of the 
United States appropriated twenty-five thousand dol- 
lars, as a compensation to Captain Jones, his officers, 
and crew, for the loss they sustained by the recapture 
of the Frolic. They also voted a gold medal to 
Captain Jones, and a silver medal to each of his 
commissioned officers. The plate accompanying this 
memoir is a fac similie, ruled from the medal. 

As a farther evidence of the confidence of govern- 
ment, Captain Jones was ordered to take command 
of the frigate Macedonian, a vessel recently captured 
from the British by the gallant Decatur. She was 
rapidly fitted out under his direction in the harbour of 
New York, and was destined to be one of Decatur's 
squadron, and which was about to sail on another 
cruise 

In May 1811, the squadron attempted to put to 
sea, but, in sailing up Long Island Sound, encountered 
a large British squadron, which obliged the United 
States' vessels to retreat into the harbour of New 
London. In this situation the enemy continued an 



LAKE SERVICE. 199 

uninterrupted blockade during the war. Finding it 
impossible to avoid the vigilance of Sir Thomas 
Hardy, who commanded the blockading squadron, 
the government ordered Captain Jones to proceed 
with his oflficers and crew to Sackett's harbour, and 
report to Commodore Chauncey, as commander of 
the frigate Mohawk, destined to cruise as one of 
the squadron on lake Ontario. The United States 
squadron maintained an ascendency, and continued 
to cruise until October, when the British squadron, 
under the command of Sir James Yeo, left Kingston, 
harbour with a greatly superior force, which obliged 
the United States squadron to return to Sackett's 
harbour. It seemed, indeed, that the contest now 
depended on the exertions of the ship carpenters. 
Two line of battle ships were placed on the stocks, 
and were advancing rapidly to completion, when, in 
February 1815, the news of peace arrived, with orders 
to suspend further operations on these vessels. 

A few weeks after peace was announced, Captain 
Jones with his officers and crew was ordered to 
repair forthwith to the the seaboard, and again to 
take command of the frigate Macedonian, which was 
directed to form part of the squadron destined to 
cruize against the Algerine men of war, then depre- 
dating on our commerce in the Mediterranean. So 
soon as the Algerine Regency was informed that war 
existed between the United States, and Great Britain, 
the Dey sent out his crusiers to capture all American 
merchant vessels. To punish these faithless free- 
booters, and to redress the wrongs of our merchants, 
a squadron consisting of nine or ten vessels was 



200 tin: algeuinks chastised. 

filled oiil and |ilac'(cl under llie commnnd of Commo- 
dore Decatur. 

This arinaineiit sailed from New York in May 
181.0, and when olf ('adiz, was informed tliat the 
Alp;erine force was cruisinj; along the southern coast 
of Spain. 

"^^rwo days after reaehinj; th(^ Mediterranean the 
TInitiul States S(|uadron fell in with and captured the 
Algerine frigate Mcssuado mounting forty-six guns, 
and tlie next day captured a large brig of war both 
• of Avhicli were carried into the port of Carthagcna, in 
Sj)ain. 

The American squadron tlien proceeded to (he 
bay of Algiers, the sudiUui and unexjx'cted appearance 
of which excited no slight degree of sur])rise and 
alarm in the Regency. Wiien the Dey learned that 
his admiral had been Ivilled, and his two principal 
vess<>!s of war had be(Mi cai)tur(>d, bis alarm became 
greatly augmented. With mingled feelings of trepi- 
dation and rage, he sent for the British consul, and 
reproached him "with })ractising a deception on him. 
"You told me," he nMuarked, "that in a few months 
after the dcndaration of war, tlie British tleets would 
sweep from tiu^ oc(>an, every vessel belonging to the 
United States. Now, peace is restored, and, so far 
from your d(Mdaration i)roving true, here is a large 
stpuulron, augmented in size by three vessels captured 
from your own boasting nation." 

The captured vessels to which the Dey alluded, 
consisted of the frigates Cuerriere, Macedonian, and 
brig of war Ei)ervi(U', which then actually formed a 
part of Decatur's squadron. Under tliese feelings 



IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 201 

the Dey reluctantly yielded to every demand which 
was made on him ; which was to restore the value of 
the property belonging to American merchants which 
he had seized, to release all prisoners which he had 
captured, to relinquish forever all claims on the an- 
nual tribute which he had hitherto received. 

After having thus successfully termined the war 
with Algiers, and formed an advantageous treaty, the 
squadron proceeded to the other Barbary capitals, 
and there adjusted some minor difficulties, which, 
however, were of some importance to American 
merchants. After touching at several of the islands 
in the Mediterranean, at Naples, and at Malaga, in 
Spain, the squadron reached Gibraltar towards the 
last of October. After remaining at this port a few 
days, and exchanging civilities with the military 
authorities of the station, the squadron returned to 
the United States, early in December. 

From this period to the present, no event of stir- 
ring importance has distinguished the career of 
Commodore Jones. He has been, however, almost 
constantly employed in various responsible positions, 
thus evincing the perfect confidence which his govern- 
ment placed in his talents and discretion. 

In 1821, he took command of a squadron, in which 
he continued for three years, for the protection of 
our commerce in the Mediterranean. On his return 
he was offered a seat in the Board of Navy Commis- 
sioners, but, finding his bureau duties rather irksome 
to him, he accepted, in the year 1826, the command 
of a squadron destined for the protection of the 
American commerce in the Pacific ocean, which also 
continued for a period of three years. On his return 
. 2C 



202 



CHARACTER. 



from the Pacific ocean, he was ordered to the com- 
mand of the Baltimore station, where he continued 
with the exception of a short interval, until transfer- 
red to his present position as port captain of the 
harbour of New York. 

Either on shore or afloat, his commands were dis- 
tinguished as well for efficiency, as for the harmony 
which always prevailed among his officers. His 
calm dignity, high sense of justice, and gentlemanlike 
bearing, inspired universal respect. 
^ Cheerful and fond of social life, he took great 
pleasure in having his officers around him, yet none 
of them ever felt disposed to take a liberty with him. 

Commodore Jones has had always a repugnance 
to writing, yet there are but few gentlemen in any 
walk in life, more intimately acquainted with general 
literature. Choice in his language — a vigorous and 
original thinker, his conversation is always instructive 
and interesting. 




■r^^ 




JAMES LAWRENCE. 

EATH, which so often 
removes from the scenes 
of their glory the young 
and heroic, has never 
triumphed over a victim 
more beloved and lament- 
ed by the nation he served 
than the subject of this 
memoir. His career was 
marked by a series of brilliant actions which had 
attracted the highest confidence and hope in his 
compatriots, and his untimely loss was mourned as a 
national calamity. 

203 




204 LAWRENCE'S EARLY LIFE. 

Captain James Lawrence was born on the 1st 
of October, 1781, at Burlington, in New Jersey, and 
was the youngest son of John Lawrence, Esq., coun- 
sellor at law of that place. Soon after his birth he 
had the misfortune to lose his mother, and the care 
of his early years devolved on his two sisters, who 
seem to have cultivated the moral qualities of his 
heart with singular success. 

At the age of twelve, he evinced a strong partiality 
for the sea; but his father disapproving of that plan 
of life, and wishing him to pursue the profession of 
law, young Lawrence acquiesced, and passed with 
reputation through the grammar school at Burlington, 
when, finding that the pecuniary situation of his father 
would not furnish him with the means of completing 
his education at any college or university, he com- 
menced the study of law with his brother, the late 
John Lawrence, Esq., at Woodbury. He was now 
only thirteen years of age, a period of life when the 
grave pursuits of jurisprudence can scarcely be pre- 
sumed to have many attractions for a young and 
ardent fancy, already inflamed with the love of wan- 
dering. He continued, however, a reluctant student 
for about two years, when the death of his father 
leaving him more at liberty to pursue his favourite 
inclination, he prevailed on his brother to place him 
under the care of Mr. Griscomb, at Burlington, for 
the purpose of studying navigation. He here re- 
mained for three montlis, at the expiration of which 
time, on application to the Navy Department, he 
received a warrant as midshipman, on the 4th of 
September, 1798. 

His first voyage was in the ship Ganges, Captain 



LAWRENCE WITH DECATUR AT TRIPOLI. 205 

Tingey, on a cruise to the West Indies. He after- 
wards sailed in different vessels for upwards of two 
years, and was then made an acting lieutenant on 
board the frigate Adams, Captain Robinson, where 
he continued till the reduction of the navy ; in conse- 
quence of which his appointment was not confirmed, 
and he remained in the rank of midshipman. 

On the commencement of the war with Tripoli, in 
1801, he was promoted to a lieutenancy, and sailed to 
the Mediterranean as first lieutenant of the schooner 
Enterprise, in 1803. 

While in this situation, he bore a conspicuous part 
in an adventure of singular boldness, the destruction 
of the frigate Philadelphia. As we have referred to 
this affair (in which he was Decatur's second in com- 
mand,) in the Life of Commodore Preble, and shall 
give a particular account of it, with an engraving, in 
the Life of Commodore Decatur, we pass it over 
here, remarking only, that when Decatur was pro- 
moted for his conduct on this occasion, Lawrence 
and the other officers and crew were voted two 
months' extra pay, which he declined receiving. 

During the same year, when Commodore Preble 
bombarded the town of Tripoli, the Enterprise, with 
the other ships of the squadron, were employed to 
cover the boats during the attack. On this occasion, 
Lieutenant Lawrence had the temporary command 
of the Enterprise, and performed his service in so 
gallant and seaman-like a manner, as to receive the 
thanks of Commodore Preble. 

From the Enterprise, he was transferred to the 
frigate John Adams, as first Lieutenant; and, after 

remaining in the Mediterranean about three years, 

18 



206 HAZARDOUS VOYAGE. 

he returned with Commodore Preble to the United 
States. 

Soon after, he was again sent to the Mediterranean 
as commander of gunboat No. 6. These vessels 
were originally destined to serve merely along the 
American coast, and, however qualified for harbour or 
river defence, were deemed exceedingly insecure in 
crossing the Atlantic. Being very small, with a dis- 
proportionably large gun, and necessarily laden very 
deeply, they laboured under every disadvantage in 
encountering heavy gales. So decided were the 
opinions of the naval officers against them, that no 
one would, perhaps, have been willing to risk his life 
in them on such a voyage, for any motive of private 
advantage, or from any consideration, except the 
performance of his duty. " Lawrence has told me," 
writes one of his brother officers, "that when he went 
on board the gunboat, he had not the faintest idea 
that he would ever arrive out to the Mediterranean 
in her, or, indeed, arrive any where else. He has 
also told me, that on the coast of Europe he met an 
English frigate, the captain of which would not at 
first believe that he had crossed the Atlantic in such 
a vessel." He did not, however, go with less alacrity, 
and he unexpectedly arrived safely in the Mediter- 
ranean, where he remained about sixteen months. 

On his return from the Mediterranean, after the 
peace with Tripoli, he was appointed first lieutenant 
of the frigate Constitution, and afterwards commanded 
the schooner Vixen, the sloop of war Wasp, the brig 
Argus, and the ship Hornet, with the rank of master 
and commander, and was twice sent to Europe with 
despatches to our ministers. In the year 1808, he 



WAR OF 1812. 207 

married a daughter of Mr. Montaudevert, a respect- 
able merchant of New York. 

The declaration of war against Great Britain, in 
June 1812, gave a new impulse, or rather a new ex- 
istence to the navy. Lawrence was at that time in 
New York, in command of the Hornet, and, in a few 
days, sailed with a squadron, consisting of the United 
States, Congress, and Argus, under the command of 
Commodore Rogers, in the President. Their object 
was to intercept the Jamaica fleet. After being de- 
tained for a day by the pursuit of the British frigate 
Belvidere, which ended in the escape of the latter, 
owing to her having the advantage of the wind, the 
squadron followed the fleet with the utmost alacrity, 
as well as the imperfect information of the vessels 
they met would permit, till the 13th of July, when 
they reached within eighteen or twenty hours' sail of 
the English channel. Disappointed in this chase, they 
ran now down near the Azores, thence back by the 
banks of Newfoundland to Boston, where they arrived 
on the 31st of August. Although this cruise was 
marked by no bold or prominent success, and al- 
though the squadron made only seven captures and a 
single recapture, yet the failure is attributable to for- 
tune only. At a moment when the British navy, 
with its boasted ubiquity covered the ocean, this little 
band of adventurers sought their enemies in every 
quarter, dared them on their own coast, and, after 
carrying alarm through the mercantile classes of 
England, returned, unmolested, and not victorious, 
only because the single enemy they encountered 
sought safety in flight. 

The day before the squadron entered Boston, 



208 REMONSTRANCE TO THE SECRETARY. 

Captain Hull arrived after tiie capture of the Guer- 
riere, and soon afterwards, the Government, yielding 
too far to the universal and natural enthusiasm ex- 
cited by this gallant action, promoted Lieutenant 
Morris, the first officer of the Constitution, to the 
rank of captain. As this appointment, however, 
advanced him two grades at once, contrary to the 
ordinary rules of promotion, and thus placed him 
above all the masters and commanders in the navy, it 
occasioned much dissatisfaction among them. Captain 
Lawrence felt himself peculiarly injured by it; inas- 
much as he found himself thus suddenly outranked 
by one so much his junior. He, therefore, addressed 
a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, in which, after 
rendering the most ample justice to the merits of 
Lieutenant Morris, he remonstrated in mild and firm, 
but respectful language, against so unprecedented a 
promotion, by which he would be forced to leave the 
navy. In reply to this fair and manly letter, he re- 
ceived from the Secretary of the Navy, a short and 
contemptuous answer, merely acknowledging the re- 
ceipt of his letter, with an intimation that if he chose 
to leave the service without a cause, there would still 
remain heroes and patriots to support the honour of 
the flag. This sarcastic note Lawrence received as 
he was on the point of sailing from Boston. To have 
left the service instantly would have been the natural 
impulse of his wounded feelings, but, at such a 
moment, with a fine ship and a gallant crew, with 
sails unbent to meet the enemy, he could not part 
with the high hopes of acquiring reputation. He 
therefore, repressed his indignation, and, in reply to 
the Secretary, after stating his surprise and regret, 



SAILS FROM BOSTON IN THE HORNET. 209 

that any thing which he had written should have been 
deemed indecorous, he apprised him that he had pre- 
pared a memorial on the subject to the Senate of the 
United States, and should be governed by their de- 
cision. This example may be serviceable to many 
officers, who, in a moment of disappointment, at im- 
proper or unkind treatment, are tempted to resign. 
It is better — like Lawrence — to stifle, for a time, the 
natural but hasty resentment of wounded pride, till 
an opportunity offers of proving — not by our com- 
plaints, but our actions — that we have been unjustly 
neglected. Lawrence sailed under the galling im- 
pression of having been keenly wounded by the 
Secretary of the Navy, and seeing a junior placed 
over him. On his return, he found that secretary no 
longer in office, and himself promoted, in consequence 
of his application to the Senate, to the rank of captain, 
so as to outrank the officer whose well-deserved, 
though irregular appointment had given him so much 
uneasiness. 

He now sailed from Boston in the Hornet, in 
company with Commodore Bainbridge, of the frigate 
Constitution, on a cruise to the East Indies ; but, in 
running down the coast of the Brazils, in the month 
of December, they found the Bonne Citoyenne, a 
British ship of war, loaded with specie, lying in the 
port of St. Salvador. The Bonne Citoyenne, was a 
larger vessel, and had a greater force both in guns 
and men than the Hornet; but so eager was Lawrence 
to engage her, that he sent through the American 
consul at St. Salvador, a challenge to her commander, 
Captain Greene. " I request you to state to him," 

said he, " that I will meet him whenever he may be 
2D 18* 



210 CHALLENGE TO CAPTAIN GREEiNE. 

pleased to come out, and pledge my honour, that 
neither the Constitution, nor any other American 
vessel shall interfere." Commodore Bainbridge, at 
the same time, declared, " if Captain Greene wished 
to try equal force, I pledge my honour to give him an 
opportunity by being out of the way or not inter- 
fering." Whatever might have been the motive of 
Captain Greene, he adroitly evaded this offer by 
answering, that " although nothing would give him 
more satisfaction than to meet Captain Lawrence 
under different circumstances, and although he was 
convinced that the result of such an encounter could 
not remain long undecided in his own favour, yet he was 
equally convinced that Commodore Bainbridge knew 
too well the paramount duty he owed to his country, 
to remain an inactive spectator, while a ship of his 
own squadron fell into the hands of the enemy, and 
that he could not expose the Bonne Citoyenne to a 
risk so manifestly disadvantageous." To give Captain 
Greene perfect security against his interference, 
Commodore Bainbridge left St. Salvador for four 
days, during which Captain Greene might perceive 
that the Constitution was not wuthin forty miles dis- 
tance, and Captain LawTence lay before the port in 
defiance. Still the Bonne Citoyenne did not move 
from her anchorage. Commodore Bainbridge then 
went into St. Salvador, and remained three days, 
supposing that the English officer would apply to the 
governor, as he might have done, and detain the Con- 
stitution for twenty-four hours, and thus ensure a fair 
engagement with Captain Lawrence; but he continued 
inflexible. Despairing at last of tempting him out, 
Commodore Bainbridge sailed from St. Salvador, and 



BLOCKADE OF THE BONNE CITOYENNE. 211 

Captain Lawrence remained blockading the Bonne 
Citoyenne, and an armed schooner of twelve guns, till 
the 24th of January, 1813, when the arrival of the 
Montague, a seventy-four gun ship, which had sailed 
from Rio Janeiro for the express purpose of relieving 
the blockaded ships, compelled him to retreat. 

The whole conduct of Captain Lawrence on this 
occasion, reflects as much honour on the American 
arms as the most brilliant victory could have done. 
The propriety of private challenges, during war, may, 
generally speaking, be questionable. They may con- 
vert national into personal quarrels, and blood may 
be sometimes uselessly sacrificed to fastidious or 
frivolous points of honour. But in no case could 
they have ever been more completely justified than in 
the present. 

At the commencement of the war, so totally unequal 
was the contest — so overwhelming the force of the 
enemy, that our navy could hope to gain nothing but 
glory in the struggle. It became, therefore a point 
of honour among our officers — the point on which the 
whole controversy rested, to prove that although 
they might be crushed, they would at least fall with 
honour ; that to build a numerous fleet was the work 
of government ; but to make a gallant and disciplined 
ship, depended on the officers ; and that although the 
American ships should be overpowered by numbers, 
they were superior to any single adversary of equal 
strength. And what could more decisively and glo- 
riously establish this superiority than the conduct of 
Captain Lawrence ? Li a single American sloop of 
war he blockades for nearly a month, with every 
token of defiance, two British ships, one of them his 



212 CAPTURE OP THE RESOLUTION. 

superior in force, till a seventy-four is sent for to 
raise the blockade, and what rendered it peculiarly- 
mortifying to the English, all this was done before 
the eyes of the astonished Portuguese, who had till 
now been taught by their haughty friends, that no 
equal vessel had ever pursued an English flag. 

From St. Salvador Captain Lawrence now shaped 
his course towards Pernambuco. On the 10th of 
February, he captured the English brig Resolution, 
of ten guns, laden with provisions and about twenty- 
five thousand dollars in specie, but, as she was a dull 
sailer, and he could not spare hands to man her, he 
took out the money and the crew, and burnt her. He 
then ran down the coast for Maranham, and, after 
cruising near that place and Surinam, till the 23d of 
February, he stood for Demarara. On the next 
morning, he discovered a brig to leeward, and chased 
her so near the shore that he was obliged to haul off 
for want of a pilot. During the chase, however, he 
had discovered a vessel at anchor outside of the bar 
of Demarara river, with English colours flying, and 
now began beating round the Corobano bank to get at 
her; when, between three and four o'clock in the after- 
noon, another sail was seen on his weather quarter, 
edging down for him. As she approached, she hoisted 
English colours, and proved to be the British brig 
Peacock, Captain Peake. The Hornet was imme- 
diately cleared for action, and kept close to the wind, 
in order to get the weather guage of the approaching 
vessel. At ten minutes past five, finding that he 
could weather the enemy. Captain Lawrence hoisted 
American colours, tacked, and, in about a quarter of 
an hour, passed the British ship within half pistol- 




S14 



HORNET AND PEACOCK. 215 

shot, and exchanged hroadsides. The enemy was 
now in the act of wearing, when Captain Lawrence 
bore up, received his starboard broadside, and ran 
him close on board on the starboard quarter; from 
which position he kept up so close and bloody a fire, 
that in less than fifteen minutes from the commence- 
ment of the action, the British struck their colours, 
and hoisted a signal of distress. Lieutenant Shubrick 
instantly went on board, and found that she was cut 
to pieces, her captain killed, many of the crew killed 
and wounded, her mainmast gone by the board, six 
feet water in the hold and sinking very fast. The 
two ships were immediately brought to anchor, and the 
Hornet's boats despatched to bring off the wounded; 
but, although her guns were thrown overboard, the 
shot holes which could be got at plugged, and every 
exertion made by pumping and bailing to keep her 
afloat, so completely had she been shattered that she 
sunk before the prisoners could be removed, carrying 
down thirteen of her crew, as well as three men be- 
longing to the Hornet. Lieutenant Connor and the 
other officers and men employed in removing the 
prisoners, narrowly escaped by jumping into a boat, 
as the Peacock went down ; and four seamen of the 
Hornet ran up into the foretop at the same time, and 
were taken off by the boats. 

The Peacock was deemed one of the finest ships 
of her class in the British navy. In size she was 
about equal to the Hornet ; but, in guns and men, the 
Hornet was somewhat, though very little, her supe- 
rior ; and by no means so much so, as to give her any 
decided advantage. The loss on board the Peacock 
could not be precisely ascertained. Captain Peake 



216 TREATMENT OF PRISONERS. 

was twice wounded, the second time mortally. Four 
men were found dead on board. The master and 
thirty-two others were wounded, three of whom after- 
wards died. The Hornet had only one man killed, 
and two slightly wounded. Her rigging and sails 
were much cut, but her hull received very little injury. 
During the engagement, the vessel which the Hornet 
had been endeavouring to reach before the Peacock 
bore down, lay at anchor within six miles, and as 
she was a brig — the Espiegle — carrying fifteen thirty- 
two pound carronades and two long nines, it was 
supposed that she would attack the Hornet, after the 
latter had been disabled by the combat. The Hornet 
was immediately prepared to receive her, and, by nine 
o'clock at night, her boats were stowed, a new set of 
sails bent, and every thing ready for action. She, 
however, declined coming out. The next morning, 
Captain Lawrence found that he had two hundred 
and seventy souls on board the Hornet, and, as his 
crew had for some time been on short allowance, re- 
solved to steer for the United States. The officers 
of the Peacock received from those of the Hornet the 
most humane and honourable treatment; so penetrated 
with gratitude were they for the kindness which they 
had experienced, that they could not restrain the ex- 
pression of their feelings till they reached England, 
but, on their arrival in the United States, published 
a letter of thanks to Captain Lawrence and his 
officers, in which they declared that such was the 
liberality displayed to them, that " they ceased to 
consider themselves prisoners." Nor was the rough 
generosity of the Hornet's crew less honourable. As 
the sailors of the Peacock had lost every thing except 



APPOINTED TO THE CHESAPEAKE. 217 

what they had on their backs, when she went down, 
the crew of the Hornet united to relieve them ; and 
made every Enghsh sailor a present of two shirts 
and a blue jacket and pair of trowsers; a true-hearted 
liberality, which raises them in our estimation higher 
than even their victory. 

Captain Lawrence returned to New York in safety, 
and, besides the applause which his country lavished 
upon him for his good conduct, had the satisfaction 
of learning, as we have already observed, that he had 
been promoted during his absence, and his rank set- 
tled to his perfect satisfaction. Soon after his return 
he was ordered to the command of the frigate Constitu- 
tion, with the temporary superintendence of the navy 
yard at New York. But the next day, to his great 
regret, he received instructions to repair to Boston, 
and take command of the Chesapeake frigate, then 
nearly ready for sea. This appointment was pecu- 
liarly unpleasant, because the Chesapeake was not 
only considered as one of the very worst ships in 
the navy, but, in consequence of her disgrace in the 
rencontre with the Leopard, laboured under that 
dispiriting stigma among sailors, of being an " unlucky 
ship." These circumstances, combined with the state 
of his family, made Captain Lawrence unwilling to 
go to sea immediately, and he, therefore, requested to 
retain his situation in the Hornet. Disappointed in 
this wish, he then took command of the Chesapeake, 
at Boston, where he had been but a short time, when 
the British frigate Shannon, Captain Broke, appeared 
before the harbour, for the avowed purpose of seeking 
a combat with the Chesapeake. Stung with the re- 
peated disasters of the British frigates, this officer 
2E 19 



^18 THE CHALLENGE. 

resolved to make an effort to retrieve them; and, when 
he deemed his ship perfectly prepared for that pur- 
pose, sent a formal challenge to Captain Lawrence. 

"As the Chesapeake" — his letter began — "ap- 
pears now ready for sea, I request you will do me the 
favour to meet the Shannon with her, ship to ship, to 
try the fortune of our respective flags. To an officer 
of your character, it requires some apology for pro- 
ceeding to further particulars. Be assured, sir, that 
it is not from any doubt I entertain of your wishing 
to close with my proposal, but merely to provide an 
answer to any objection that might be made — and 
very reasonably — upon the chance of our receiving 
unfair support." After observing that Commodore 
Rodgers had not accepted several verbal challenges 
which he had given, Captain Broke then proceeds to 
state very minutely the force of the Shannon, and 
offers to send all British ships out of reach, so that 
they might have a fair combat, at any place within a 
certain range along the coast of New England, which 
he specified ; if more agreeable, he offers to sail to- 
gether, and to warn the Chesapeake, by means of 
private signals of the approach of British ships of 
war, till they reach some solitary spot — or to sail 
with a flag of truce to any place out of the reach of 
British aid, so that the flag should be hauled down 
when it was deemed fair to begin hostilities. " I en- 
treat you, sir," he concludes, " not to imagine that I 
am ur.gcd by mere personal vanity to the wish of 
meeting the Chesapeake, or that I depend only upon 
your personal ambition for your acceding to this 
invitation. We have both nobler motives. You will 
feel it as a compliment, if I say that the result of our 



THE CHALLENGE. 219 

meeting may be the most grateful service I can render 
to my country; and I doubt not that you, equally 
confident of success, will feel convinced that it is only 
by repeated triumphs in even combats, that your little 
navy can now hope to console your country for the 
loss ^f that trade it can no longer protect." 

The style of this letter, with the exception of the 
puerile bravado about Commodore Rodgers, is frank 
and manly ; and, if the force of the Shannon were 
correctly stated, would be such a challenge as might 
well be sent from a brave seaman to a gallant adver- 
sary. We, however, are but two well satisfied, that 
Captain Broke studiously underrated the number of 
his guns and crew; or that, after his challenge, he 
must have received additions to both. That the 
Shannon had more guns than the number stated by 
her commander, we learn from the testimony of the 
surviving officers of the Chesapeake ; who also assert, 
that she had three hundred and seventy-six men ; that 
she had an officer and sixteen men from the Belle 
I\)ule ; and that the hats of some of her seamen were 
marked " Tenedos." Such as it was, however, this 
letter, most unfortunately, never reached Captain 
Lawrence. If he had received it — if he had been 
thus warned to prepare his ship — if he had had an 
opportunity of selecting his officers, and disciplining 
his crew — if, in short, he had been able to place the 
Chesapeake on any thing like equal terms with the 
Shannon, the combat might have been more bloody — 
there might have been such an engagement as has not 
yet been seen between single ships on the ocean; 
though we cannot suffer ourselves to doubt the result 
of it. But he knew nothing of this challenge — he saw 



220 THE CHESAPEAKE SAILS. 

only the Shannon riding before him in defiance ; he re- 
membered the spirit with which he himself had over- 
awed a superior, and he could not brook for a moment, 
that an enemy, which seemed to be his equal, should 
insult his flag. Although, therefore, the Chesapeake 
was comparatively an inferior ship — although his first 
lieutenant was sick on shore — although three of his 
lieutenants had recently left her ; and, of the four who 
remained, two were only midshipmen, acting as lieute- 
nants — although part of his crew were new hands, and 
all of them had lost some of their discipline by staying 
in port — yet, as he would have gone to sea in that situa- 
tion had no enemy appeared, he felt himself bound 
not to delay sailing on that account, and throwing 
himself, therefore, on his courage and his fortune, he 
determined at once to attack the enemy. It was on 
the morning of the 1st of June, 1813, that the Chesa- 
peake sailed out of the harbour of Boston, to meet 
the Shannon. As soon as she got under weigh, 
Captain Lawrence called the crew together, and, 
having hoisted the white flag, with the motto of "free 
trade and sailors' rights," made a short address. 
His speech, however, was received with no en- 
thusiasm — on the contrary, signs of dissatisfaction 
were evident ; particularly from a boatswain's mate, 
a Portuguese, who seemed to be at the head of the 
malcontents ; and complaints were muttered, that 
they had not yet received their prize money. Such 
expressions, at the eve of an action, were but ill 
bodings of the result of it; but Captain Lawrence, 
ignorant as he was of the character of his sailors, 
and unwilling at such a moment to damp their spirits 
by harshness, preserved his accustomed calmness, and 



THE BATTLE. 221 

had prize checks, at once, given by the purser to 
those who had not received them. While this scene 
was passing, the Shannon observing the Chesapeake 
coming out, bore away. The Chesapeake followed 
her till four o'clock, in the afternoon, when she hauled 
up and fired a gun, on which the Shannon hove to. 
They manoeuvred for some time, till at about a quar- 
ter before six, they approached within pistol-shot, 
and exchanged broadsides. 

These broadsides were both bloody ; but the fire 
of the Shannon was most fortunate in the destruction 
of officers. The fourth lieutenant, Mr. Ballard, was 
mortally wounded — the sailing master was killed, and 
Captain Lawrence received a musket ball in his leg, 
which caused great pain, and profuse bleeding, but 
he leaned on the companion-way, and continued to 
order and to animate his crew. A second and a 
third broadside was exchanged, with evident advan- 
tage on the part of the Chesapeake ; but, unfortu- 
nately, among those now wounded on board of her, 
was the first lieutenant, Mr. Ludlow, who was carried 
below — ^three men were successively shot from the 
helm, in about twelve minutes from the commence- 
ment of the action ; and, as the hands were shifting, 
a shot disabled her foresail, so that she would no 
longer answer her helm, and her anchor caught in 
one of the afterports of the Shannon, which enabled 
the latter to rake her upperdeck. As soon as Law- 
rence perceived that she was falling to leeward, and 
that by the Shannon's filling she would fall on board, 
he called his boarders, and was giving orders about 
the foresail, when he received a musket ball in 

his body. The bugleman, who should have called 

19* 



222 THE CHESAPEAKE BOARDED. 

the boarders, did not do his duty; and, at this moment, 
Commodore Broke, whose ship had suffered so much 
that he was preparing to repel boarding : perceiving, 
from this accident, how the deck of the Chesapeake 
was swept, jumped on board with about twenty men. 
They would have been instantly repelled ; but the 
captain, the first lieutenant, the sailing master, the 
boatswain, lieutenant of marines, the only acting 
lieutenant on the spardeck, were all killed or disabled. 
At the call of the boarders, Lieutenant Cox ran on 
deck, but just in time to receive his falling commander, 
and bear him below. Lieutenant Budd— -the second 
lieutenant — led up the boarders, but only fifteen or 
twenty would follow him, and with these he defended 
the ship till he was wounded and disabled. Lieute- 
nant Ludlow, wounded as he was, hurried upon deck, 
where he soon received a mortal cut from a sabte. 
The marines who were engaged fought with desperate 
courage ; but they were few in numbers ; too many of 
them having followed the Portuguese boatswain's 
mate, who exclaimed, it is said, as he skulked below, 
" so much for not paying men their prize money." 
Meanwhile the Shannon threw on board sixty addi- 
tional men, who soon succeeded in overpowering the 
seamen of the Chesapeake, who had now no officers 
to lead or rally them, and took possession of the ship; 
which was not, however, surrendered by any signal 
of submission ; but, became the enemy's, only because 
they were able to overwhelm all who were in a con- 
dition to resist. 

As Captain Lawrence was carried below, he per- 
ceived the melancholy condition of the Chesapeake, 
but cried out, "Don't surrender the ship." He was 



DEATJI OF LAWRENCE. 223 

taken down in the wardroom, and, as he lay in ex- 
cruciating pain, perceiving that the noise above had 
ceased, he ordered the surgeon to go on deck, and 
tell the officers to fight on to the last, and never 
strike the colours. " They shall wave," said he, 
'' while I live." But it was too late to resist or to 
struggle longer; the enemy had already possession 
of the ship. As Captain Lawrence's wounds would 
not allow of his removal, he continued in the ward- 
room, surrounded by his wounded officers, and, after 
lingering in great pain for four days, during which 
his sufferings were too acute to permit him to speak, 
or, perhaps, to think of the sad events he had just 
witnessed, or do more than ask for what his situation 
required, he died on the 5th of June. His body was 
wrapped in the colours of the Chesapeake, and laid 
on the quarterdeck, until they arrived at Halifax, 
where he was buried with the highest military and 
naval honours ; the British officers forgetting, for a 
moment, in their admiration of his character, that he 
had been but lately their enemy. His pall was sup- 
ported by the oldest captains in the navy then at 
Halifax, and no demonstration of respectful attention 
was omitted to honour the remains of a brave, but 
unfortunate stranger. 

Thus prematurely perished, at the age of thirty- 
two, this gallant and generous seaman. Lost, as he 
was, in the full vigour of his powers, and v/ith the 
imperfect measure of his fame, our hopes are for- 
bidden to dwell on the fond anticipation of what he 
might have been, and we are left to rest with a 
melancholy pleasure on the qualities which his short 
life had already developed. Lawrence seems to have 



224 CHARACTER OF LAWRENCE. 

combined all the distinguished and endearing quali- 
ties ; the openness of heart, the manliness of pride, the 
benevolence of feeling, the chivalrous courage, which 
our imagination ascribes to the perfection of the naval 
character. He was devoted to his profession, and to 
the service. During nearly sixteen years which he 
spent in the navy, he never had a furlough, except 
one for about six weeks. The perfect order of his 
ship bore testimony to his merits as a disciplinarian, 
while the zealous attachment of his crew, proved that 
his discipline had not been earned by harshness or 
severity. His courage was of a daring and desperate 
cast, but it was still regulated by a calm sobriety 
of judgment. Indeed, the characteristic quality of 
Lawrence — that which most distinguished him as an 
officer, was coolness and perfect self-possession in the 
midst of danger. Of his kindness, of the warmth 
and generosity of his heart, which rendered him, em- 
phatically, a favourite of the navy, his brother officers 
are all willing witnesses. These remembrances are, 
however, most cherished, where they are now most 
consolatory — in the bosom of his family; of the two 
widowed sisters, whose cares, during his infancy, he 
repaid with the kindest protection ; of his afflicted 
wife, who, with three children — the youngest born 
since his father's death — is left to lament a loss, which 
the sympathy of her country may, in some degree, we 
trust, alleviate. 

In this sanguinary engagement the destruction was 
nearly equal on both sides. The Chesapeake lost 
her commander and forty-seven men killed, and 
ninety-seven wounded, of whom fourteen afterwards 
died. Among these were Lieutenant Ludlow, first 



CAUSES OF THE CAPTURE. 225 

lieutenant of the ship, and Lieutenant Ballard, the 
fourth lieutenant, both excellent officers. 

On the part of the Shannon, Captain Broke was 
dangerously wounded, though he has since recovered; 
the first lieutenant, the purser, captain's clerk, and 
twenty-three seamen killed, and fifty-seven persons 
wounded, besides Captain Broke. 

The capture of the Chesapeake is to be ascribed 
wholly to the extraordinary loss of officers, (a loss 
without any precedent, as far as we can recollect, 
in naval history;) and to her falling accidentally on 
board the Shannon. During the three broadsides, 
while the officers of the Chesapeake were living, and 
she was kept clear of the enemy, the superiority was 
manifestly with the Americans. The Chesapeake 
had received scarcely any damage, while the Shannon 
had several shot between wind and water, and could 
with difficulty be kept afloat during the succeeding 
night. It was only when accident threw the Chesa- 
peake on board the Shannon, when her officers were 
unable to lead on the boarders, that Captain Broke 
himself — contrary, we believe, to the regulations of 
the British navy — left his own ship, and was able, by 
superior numbers, to overj)Ower the distracted crew 
of the Chesapeake. 

We have heard many accounts which we are very 
reluctantly compelled to believe, of improper conduct 
by the British after the capture, and of brutal violence 
offered to the crew of the Chesapeake. As, however, 
some allowances are due to the exasperated passions 
of the moment; something, too, to the confusion of 
a bloody and doubtful struggle, we are unwilling to 

2 F 



226 ANECDOTES. 

prolong the remembrance of imputations which may 
be disproved, and, perhaps, have been exaggerated. 

But we should wrong the memory of Captain 
Lawrence — we should be unjust to the officers of the 
American navy, with whose glory all the aspiring 
ambition of the country is so closely blended — if we 
omitted any opportunity of giving the last and fairest 
lustre to their fame, by contrasting their conduct with 
that of the enemy ; or, if we forbore, from any mis- 
placed delicacy towards our adversaries, to report 
circumstances connected with the fate of the Chesa- 
peake, which throw a broad and dazzling light on the 
generous n'lagnanimity of our countrymen. 

When Captain Hull took the Guerriere, every 
chest, trunk, and box belonging to the officers, con- 
taining, it was known, the fruits of a long cruise, 
much of it against our own country, was delivered to 
them without examination. The very trifles which 
the crew of the Constitution saved from the Guerriere, 
before she was blown up,, were scrupulously restored 
to the English sailors; no article of private property 
was touched. 

When Commodore Decatur took the Macedonian, 
he purchased from Captain Garden upwards of a 
thousand dollars worth of things in the ship, and 
Captain Garden was permitted to take the rest on 
shore. To such an extent was this kindness abused, 
that every knife and fork — every cup and saucer — 
every plate and dish — every chair and table — in short, 
every thing which Captain Carden had used, was 
taken on shore; and, before the Macedonian reached 
New York, the prizemastcr was obliged to send on 



ANECDOTES, 227 

board the United States for the most common articles 
of daily use, as the prisoners had taken them all away. 
At the same time, the wardroom officers of the United 
States purchased their wine and other articles from 
the wardroom officers of the Macedonian. 

When Commodore Bainbridge took the Java, all 
the property of all the officers and all the passengers, 
and the plate belonging to a high military commander, 
were restored instantly. The American officers 
would have deemed it disgraceful to retain the private 
property of a brother officer, even though he were an 
enemy and a prisoner. 

When Captain Lawrence took the Peacock, and 
the officers and crew of that vessel were left destitute, 
the officers and crew of the Hornet fed and clothed 
them from their own stores. 

When the Chesapeake was taken by the Shannon, 
the key of Captain Lawrence's storeroom was de- 
manded of the purser. It was given ; but the purser 
observed, at the same time, that in the captures of 
the Guerriere, Macedonian, and Java, the most scru- 
pulous regard was paid to the private property of the 
British officers ; that Captain Lawrence had laid in 
stores for a long cruise ; and that tlie value of them 
would be a great object to his widow and family, for 
w^hose use he was desirous, if possible, of preserving 
them. Thisr request was not merely declined — it was 
haughtily and superciliously refused. 

Well, then — the enemy captured the Chesapeake 
— they enjoyed the little private property of Captain 
Lawrence ; but they have not taken from him any 
of his individual fame, nor of his country's glory. 
However we may mourn the sufferings of that day, 



228 COMPARATIVE FORCE. 

the loss of the Chesapeake has not, in our estima 
tion, varied the rehitive standing of the marine of 
the two countries ; nor does it abate, in the slightest 
degree, any of the loftiness of our naval pretensions. 
The contest was wholly unequal in sliips, in guns, in 
crews, in officers, in every thing. 

The Shannon was a betllr ship ; she had not upon 
her the curse of that ill-omened name, the Chesapeake. 
The Shannon was a stronger ship; she mounted 
twenty-eight eighteeen pounders on the maindeck, 
twenty-two thirty-two pound carronades, and two 
long brass nines or twelves, on the spardeck, and a 
large carronade amidships, in all Jiftij-tn'O guns, 
besides this last heavy carronade ; while the Chesa- 
peake mounted twenty-eight eighteen pounders on the 
maindeck, and twenty thirty-two pound carronades, 
and one eighteen pounder — chase gun — on the spar- 
deck, in all forty^nine guns. 

The Shannon had a better crew. Besides her 
complement she had seamen from two other ships. 
That crew, too, had been long at sea; long in the 
ship ; were known ; were tried ; and, as Commodore 
Broke sent a challenge, were, of course, men in 
whom — if they were not picked for the occasion — he 
knew he could confide. The Chesapeake had, on the 
contrary, in part, a new crew, unknown to their 
officers, not yet knowing their places, or the ship. 
The ship had not been more than a few hours at sea, 
and the landsmen and the landswomcn had been dis- 
missed from her on the very day of the engagement. 
The officers, too, although we should be the last to 
detract from their merits, and although the manner in 
which they fought their ship does them the highest 



GENERAL REMARKS. 039 

honour, the officers -vvcre young and few in number, 
and had as yet scarcely any opportunity of disciplin- 
ing or knowing their seamen; yet, under all these 
disadvantages, the great damage sustained by the 
Shannon, and the great loss of her crew, all of which 
took place before the boarding, warrant completely 
the opinion, that but for the accidental loss of officers, 
the victor}' would have been with the Chesapeake. 

So far, indeed, from humbling our national pride, 
the stubbornness with which, in spite of its inequality, 
this combat was sustained, only confirms us in a be- 
lief, not created by the events of that war, though not 
likely to be much shaken by them — a belief formed 
on circumstances which even a series of naval losses 
cannot now control — a belief, too, in avowing which 
we are quite content to incur the charge of over- 
weening national prejudice — that in all the qualities 
essential to success on the ocean, tlie American seamen 
are not equal, but superior to the British seainen. 
It is no merit of theirs. Nature and circumstances 
have made them so. But so it is — they are physi- 
cally superior; they are morally superior. The warm 
and variable climate of the United States, has, to a 
certain degree, melted the original English constitu- 
tion of our ancestors, till, instead of the broad shoul- 
dered and ruddy form of the people of Great Britain, 
the Americans are a thinner race of men, with less 
personal strength and stamina, but with more activity, 
more quickness, more alertness. The lower classes 
of people in this country, too, derive from their popu- 
lar institutions more intelligence and education, they 
learn more, tliey learn easier, while the wider field 

for exertion, and the perfect freedom of employing 

20 



230 GENERAL REMARKS. 

themselves in their own way, gives to the American 
character a certain play, and vigour, and animation 
not found in any other nation. The Americans, 
moreover, are generally younger men, more in the 
vigour of life. The state of our trade also renders^ 
our seamen more adventurous. They make longer 
voyages, in smaller ships, and brave more dangers than 
can be experienced in the regular and monopolised, 
and convoyed commerce of Great Britan. They, be- 
sides, enter into the service voluntarily, and for short 
periods, and their minds have more of tlie elasticity of 
freedom than the seamen entombed on board a British 
man of war. The effect which these circumstances 
might naturally be supposed to produce we have often 
seen. The Americans vanquished the English at sea 
again and again during the Revolution. In the war 
with France, the American squadrons were at least 
as active, as brave, and as vigilant against the enemy, 
as those of England. While the two navies were 
together in the Mediterranean, the superiority in. 
ships, crews, and officers was, in the opinion of every 
stranger, decidedly with the Americans. How that 
pre-eminence was sustained in the recent war, need 
not be told. In short, the American seamen have 
always held that high rank on the ocean from which 
the casual loss of the Chesapeake, in an ill-matched 
combat, cannot degrade them, and which, we are sure, 
with the blessing of God, and a liberal policy from 
their country, they will always maintain. *^ 

Since the close of the war of 1812, the British 
historians have laboured hard to show that all the 
naval victories gained by the Americans, during that 

* Port Folio. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



231 



war, were the result of untoward accidents, or of a 
greatly superior force on our side. James, in his 
" Naval History-," and Alison, in hisfecent " History 
of Europe," have distorted facts, stn^ made wholly 
unfounded statements fpi* this purpose. But the true 
state of the case was directtk the reyerse. Our vic- 
tories were wpii by %utf^iof gunnei^y and superior 
discipline, and their ^my, one, where Isihgle frigates 
were opposed, was clearly; 'tjbe result of untoward 
accidents. By, a proc§^^^^cal^f.ul analogy, some of 
our own writ^rk ha©^r sMwift/ihe -^dunds on which 
we declare oiir ipeJEories_t*-^£|ye b^ei)' fairly won; 
and yet our late en^jmies pretend 'to cite American 
authority for accounts of these victories in which the 
national vanity of the Briti^i is grossly and systemati- 
cally flattered at the expense of truth and justice. 



XVSH ^hA'6l 




r 5Jr) 



iM 




ISAAC HULL. 

SAAC HULL was born in 

Derby, near New Haven. 

Connecticut, in the vear 

177:7. 
His career on the ocean 

^ oinnienccd when he was a 
^" '^ mere boy. At the age o( 

^:Er~'^ -:^-^- ^--7^ twelve years he went on 
board a prize taken by his father from the British, 
during the Revolution. His early adventures in the 
merchant service were of a very romantic character. 
Before he entered the navy, he had made eighteen 
voyages to different parts of Europe and the West 




SERVICE IN THE WEST INDIES. 233 

Indies. He entered the na^y, as lieutenant, on the 
9th of March, 1798. 

His first active service was in the war with the 
French Republic, during the administration of John 
Adams. It will be recollected that the operations of 
this war were confined chiefly to the extirpation of a 
species of vermin called French privateers from the 
West India seas, an exceedingly toilsome, but in- 
glorious service. The most celebrated actions of 
the war are the two battles of Commodore Truxtun, 
in each of which he compelled a French frigate of 
superior force to strike. Hull, however, then first 
lieutenant of the frigate Constitution, under Commo- 
dore Talbot, was fortunate enough, in May, 1790, to 
obtain a separate command for a certain piece of 
service, which he achieved in a very brilliant style. 

It having been ascertained that a French letter of 
marque, the Sandwich, was lying in Port Platte, St. 
Domingo, Commodore Talbot detached Mr. Hull, 
lieutenant of the Constitution, to reconnoitre in one 
of the frigate's cutters, and soon after finding the 
American sloop Sally, employed on the coast of the 
island, he threw a party of seamen and marines into 
her, under the command of ]\Ir. Hull, who arrived 
otf the port, with most of his men below, and so ar- 
ranged matters, that no suspicion of his intention 
was excited. The Sally ran the Sandwich aboard, 
the party of ]\Ir. Hull went into her, and carried her 
without the loss of a man. At the same moment. 
Captain Carmick landed with the marines, entered 
the Spanish battery, under whose protection the 
Sandwich was lying, and spiked the guns. The 
Sandwich was stripped to her girt-line, and every 
2G 20* 



234 CAPTURE OP DERNE. 

thing was below. She was captured at midday, and, 
before sunset, she had her royal yards across, her 
guns scaled, her American crew quartered, and soon 
after she weighed, beat out of the harbour, and joined 
the frigate. Hull always considered this one of the 
most creditable of his achievements, and it is so re- 
garded by the best judges of nautical exploits. It 
turned out, however, unfortunately for the Constitu- 
tion's people; for the legality of the capture 'in a 
neutral port being questioned, not only was the Sand- 
wich restored to her owners, but all the prize money 
of the cruise went to pay damages.* 

In the Tripolitan war of 180t, Hull's services were 
more important. It is well known that General 
Eaton, by taking up the cause of the deposed Bashaw 
of Tripoli, Hamet Caramalli, and assisting him to 
capture Derne, came so near overturning the govern- 
ment, and humbling the barbarians to our own terms, 
that he was only prevented from doing this by the 
precipitate treaty of Mr. Lear. It is not so well 
known that it was Hull who aided General Eaton in 
the most essential manner by furnishing funds, con- 
veying him to Egypt, and, finally, by battering the 
town and fortifications, while Eaton and his allies 
were attacking it on the land side. The singularity 
of this afiair — a body of Americans allied with 
Turks, attacking an African town by sea and land 
and capturing it — renders it one of the most romantic 
achievements in which INIr. Hull was ever engaged. 

At the commencement of the war of 1812, Hull 
having been advanced in the meantime to the rank of 

* Cooper's Naval History. 



ESCAPE OF THE CONSTITUTION 235 

captain, was placed in command of the frigate Con- 
stitution, in which he was destined to perform those 
brilhant actions which have rendered him one of the 
most celebrated heroes of our navy. His first exploit 
was the escape of the Constitution from a British 
squadron, which is justly regarded as one of the most 
remarkable recorded in naval history. The account 
of it contained in the official letter of Captain Hull has 
all the interest of a romance. It is as follows : — 

" United Slates^ frigate Constitution, at Sea, July 21, 1812. 

Sir : — In pursuance of your orders of the 3d instant, I left An- 
napolis on the 5th instant, and the capes on the 12th, of which I 
advised you by the pilot who brought the ship to sea. 

For several days after we got out, the wind was light and ahead, 
which, with a strong southerly current, prevented our making much 
way to the northward. On the 17th, at two, P. M., being in 
twenty-two fatlioms water off Egg harbour, four sail of ships were 
discovered from the masthead, to the northward and in shore of 
us, apparently ships of war. The wind being ver^ light all sail 
was made in chase of them, to ascertain whether they were the 
enemy's ships, or our squadron having got out of New York, wait- 
ing the arrival of the Constitution, the latter of which I had reason 
to believe was the case. 

At four, in the afternoon, a ship was seen from the masthead, 
bearing about N. E., standing for us under all sail, which she con- 
tinued to do until sundown, at which time she was too far off to 
distinguish signals, and the ships in shore only to be seen from the 
tops ; they were standing off to the southward and eastward. As 
we could not ascertain before dark what tlie ship in the offing was, 
I determined to stand for her, and get near enough to make the 
night signal. 

At ten, in the evening, being within six or eight miles of the 
strange sail, the private signal was made, and kept up nearly one 
hour, but finding she could not answer it, I concluded she and the 
ships in shore were enemy. 



236 FROM A BRITISH SQUADRON. 

I immediately hauled off to the southward and eastward, aad 
made all sail, having determined to lie off till daylight to see what 
they were. The ship that we had been chasing hauled off after 
us, showing a light, and occasionally making signals, supposed to 
be for the ships in shore. 

On the ISth, at daylight, or a little before it was quite light, saw 
two sail under our lee, which proved to be frigates of tlie enemy's. 
One frigate astern witliin about live or six miles, and a line of battle 
ship, a frigate, a brig, and schooner, about ten or hvelve miles 
directly astern, all in chase of us, witli a fine breeze, and coming 
up fast, it being nearly calm where we were. Soon after simrise, 
the wind entirely left us and the ship would not steer, but fell 
round off with her head towards the two ships under our lee. The 
boats were instantly hoisted out, and sent ahead to tow the ship's 
head round, and to endeavour to get her farther from the enemy, 
being then within five miles of three heavy frigates. The boats of 
tlie enemy were got out and sent ahead to tow, by which, witli tlie 
light air that remained with them, they came up very fast. Finding 
the enemy gaining on us, and but little chance of escaping from 
them. I ordered two of the guns on the gundeck to be ran out a* 
the cabin windows for stern guns on the sfundeck, and hoisted one 
of the twenty-four pounders off the gundeck, and nm that, with the 
forecastle gun, an eighteen pounder, out at the ports on the quar- 
terdeck, and cleareil the ship for action, being determined they 
should not get her without resistance on our part, notwithstanding 
their force and the situation we were placed in 

At about seven, in the morning, the ship nearest us approaching 
within gimshot, and directly astern, I ordered one of the stem 
guns fired, to see if we could reach her, to endeavour to disable 
her masts ; found the shot fell a little short, would not fire any 
more. 

At eight, four of the enemy's ships nearly witliin gunshot, some 
of them having six or eight boats ahead towing, with all their oars 
and sweeps out. to row them up with us, which they were last 
doing. It now appeared that we must be taken, and that our 
escape was impossible — four heavy ships nearly witliin gunshot, 
and coming up last, and not the least hope of a breeze to give us a 
chance of getting off by outsailing them. 

In this situation, finding ourselves in only twenty-four fathoms 




237 



ESCAPE OF THE CONSTITUTION '23i> 

water, by the suggestion of tliat valuable officer. Lieutenant Morris, 
I determined to try and warp the ship aliead, by carryiuir out 
•jnchors and warping her up to them; three or four hundred 
fathoms of rope Avas instantly got up, and two anchors got ready 
^id sent ahead, by which means we began to gain ahead of the 
enemv ; iltey, however, soon saw our bi->atj! carrying out the anchors, 
and adoptetl the same plan, under very advantagreous circumstances, 
as all the boats from the ships furthermost off were sent to tow 
and warp up those nearest to us, by which means they again came 
up. so that at nine, the ship nearest us began to fire her bow guns, 
which we instantly reUirned by our stern guns in the cabin and 
on tlie quarterdeck. All the shot from the enemy fell short ; but 
we have reason to believe that some of ours went on board her. as 
we could not see them strike tlie ^^•t^ter. Soon after nine, a second 
friffate passed under our lee, and opened her broadside, but finding 
her shot 1^1 short, discontinued her fire ; but continued, as did all 
the rest of them, to make every possible exertion to get up witli 
us. From nine to twelve, all hands were employed in warping 
tlie ship ahead, and in starting some of the water in die main hold 
to lighten her, which, with the help of a light air, we rather gained 
of the enemv. or, at least, held our own. About t^o, in the after- 
noon, all the boats from the line of battle ship and some of tlie 
frigates were sent to the frigate nearest to us. to endeavour to tow 
her up. but a light breeze sprung up, which enabled us to hold ^vay 
with her. notwithstmiding they had eight or ten boats ahead, and 
all her sails lurled to tow her to windward. The wind continued 
light until eleven at night, and the boats were kept ahead towing 
and warping to keep out of the reach of the enemy, three of the 
friirates being very near us ; at eleven, we got a light breeze from 
the southward, the boats came alongside and were hoisted up, the 
ship having too much way to keep tliem ahead, tlie enemy still iu 
chase and very near. 

On the I9ih. at daylight passed within gimshot of one of the 
frigates, but she did not fire on us. perhaps, for fear of becalminsf her, 
as the wind was light ; soon al'ter passing us she tacked, and stood 
after us — at iliis time six sail were in sight, under all sail after us. 
At nine, in the morning, saw a strange sail on cmr weather beam, 
supposed to be an .\merican merchant ship ; the instant the frigate 
ne-arest us saw her. she hoisted American colours, as did all the 



240 FROM A BRITISH SQUADRON 

squadron, in liopes to decoy her down ; I immediately hoisted the 
Englisli colours, tluit she might not be deceived ; she soon hauled 
her wind, and, it is to be hoped, made her escape. All this day 
the wind increased gradually, and we gained on the enemy, in the 
course of the day, six or eight miles; they, however, continued 
chasing us all night under a press of sail. 

On tlie '20th, at daylight in tlie morning, only three of them could 
be seen from the masthead, the nearest of which was about twelve 
miles oll^ directly astern. All hands were set at work wetting the 
sails, from tlie royals down, with the engine and fire buckets, and 
we soon found that we loft the enemy very fast. At a quarter past 
eight, the enemy tindiug that they were fast dropping astern, gave 
over chase, and hauled their wind to the northward, probably for 
the station otY New York. At half past eight, saw a sail ahead, 
gave chase after her under all sail. At nine, saw another strange 
sail under our lee bow, we soon spoke the first sail discovered, 
and found her to be an American brig from St. Domingo, bound to 
Portland ; I directed the captain how to steer to avoid the enemy, 
and made sail for the vessel to leeward ; on coming up with her, 
she proved to be an Americxm brig from St. Bartholomew's, bound 
to Philadel^ihia : but, on being informed of war, he bore up for 
Charleston, S. C. Finding the ship so iar to the southward and 
eastward, and the enemy''s squadron stationed ofi' New York, 
which would make it impossible for the ship to get in there, I de- 
termined to make for Boston, to receive your farther orders, and 
I hope my having done so will meet your approbation. My wish 
to explain to you as clearly as possible why your orders have not 
been executed, and the length of time tlie enemy were in chase of 
us, with various other circumstances, have caused me to make this 
communication much longer than I could have wished, yet I cannot 
in justice to tlie brave otlicers and crew under my command, close 
it without expressing to you the confidence I have in them, and 
assuring you that their conduct while under the guns of tlie enemy 
Avas such as might have been expected from American olficers and 
seamen. 1 have the honour to be, with very great respect, sir, 
your obedient humble servant, 

(Signed) Isaac Hull. 

The Hon. Paul Hamilton, 
Secretary of the Navy, Washington." 




242 



ACTION WITH THE GUERRIERE. 243 

Such is Captain Hull's modesr account of this truly 
brilliant exploit. Sailing on a cruise immediately 
after this, with the same frigate, officers, and crew, 
on the 19th of August he fell in with His Britannic 
Majesty's ship Guerriere, rated at thirty-eight guns, 
and carrying fifty, commanded by Captain Dacres, 
who, some time before, had politely endorsed on the 
register of an American ship an invitation to Captain 
Hull to give him a meeting of this kind. 

At half past three, P. M., Captain Hull made out 
his antagonist to be a frigate, and continued the chase 
till he was within about three miles, when he cleared 
for action; the chase backed her main-topsail and 
waited for him to come down. As soon as the Con- 
stitution was ready, Hull bore down to bring the 
enemy to close action immediately; but, on his coming 
within gunshot, the Guerriere gave a broadside and 
filled away and wore, giving a broadside on the other 
tack ; but without effect, her shot falling short. She 
then continued wearing and manoeuvring for about 
three-quarters of an hour to get a raking position, — 
but, finding she could not, she bore up and ran under 
her topsails and jib, with the wind on the quarter. 
During this time, the Constitution, not having fired 
a single broadside, the impatience of the officers- and 
men to engage was excessive. Nothing but the most 
rigid discipline could have restrained them. Hull, 
however, was preparing to decide the contest in a 
summary method of his own. He now made sail to 
bring the Constitution up with her antagonist, and, 
at five minutes before six, P. M., being alongside 
within half pistol shot, he commenced a heavy fire 
from all his guns, double-shotted with round and 
2H 21 



244 CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIERE. , 

grape ; and so well airected, and so well kept up was 
the fire, that in sixteen minutes the mizenmast of the 
Guerriere went by the board, and her mainyard in 
the slings, and the hull, rigging and sails were com- 
pletely torn to pieces. The fire was kept up for 
fifteen minutes longer, when the main and foremast 
went, taking with them every spar except the bow- 
sprit, and leaving the Guerriere a complete wreck. 
On seeing this, Hull ordered the firing to cease, 
having brought his enemy in thirty minutes after he 
was fairly alongside to such a condition, that a few 
more broadsides must have carried her down. 

The prize being so shattered that she was not 
worth bringing into port, after removing the prisoners 
to the Constitution, she was set on fire and blown 
up. In the action, the Constitution lost seven killed, 
and seven wounded; the Guerriere, fifteen killed, 
sixty-two wounded — including the captain and several 
officers, and twenty-four missing. 

The news of this victory was received in the 
United States with the greatest joy and exultation. 
All parties united in celebrating it, and the citizens 
and public authorities vied y^'ith each other in be- 
stowing marks of approbation upon Captain Hull and 
his gallant officers and crew. 

Since the war of 1812, Commodore Hull has com- 
manded in the Pacific and Mediterranean, and on the 
shore stations in the United States. He came to 
Philadelphia in the autumn of 1842. In the winter 
he was seized with the sickness which terminated 
his honourable and useful life. He retained the full 
exercise of his mental faculties to the last, and died 
Willi the composure becoming his character as a man, 



DEATH OP COMMODORE HULL. 245 

and his hopes as a Christian. ' He departed this life 
on Monday, the 13th of February, 1843. He lid 
made his will and purchased the lot at Laurel Hm 
cemetery, where his remains are now deposited 
Commodore Hull's attachment to his profession al- 
ways led h,m to honour it, and to preserve its dignily 
in his own character and deportment. He always 
wore h,s uniform, and, probably by his own direction 
lus corpse was laid out in the full dress of a com! 
mander, and thus— 

" He lay like a warrior taking his rest " 
and noble warrior he was_a glorious' old commo- 
dore-with a soul full of all noble aspirations for his 

pITV ''"f "'^-'^ ^P'^^did relic of a departed 
epoch of naval renown. 




21* 





WILLIAM HENRY ALLEN. 

EW among our naval 
heroes have had a more 
brilUant career than 
the subject of this me- 
moir. He entered the 
service at an early age, 
was actively engaged 
during the Tripolitan 
war, was present and 
bore a conspicuous 
part in the action between the United States and 
Macedonian, and finally fell desperately fighting 
against a superior force, giving, in his last hour, proofs 

246 




EARLY LIFE. 247 

of gallantry which elicited the warmest admiration and 
the most marked tokens of respect from the enemy 
on whose soil his remains were buried. 

William Henry Allen was born at Providence, 
Rhode Island, on the twenty-first day of October, 
1784. His father, William Allen, on the breaking 
out of our revolutionary troubles, was appointed a 
first lieutenant in the army. He continued in the 
army until the restoration of peace, and commanded 
the Rhode Island line of troops at the battle of Sara- 
toga, when he was advanced to the rank of major. 
He was present and actively engaged in most of the 
battles which were fought during our revolutionary 
war; and in 1786, was appointed by Congress, senior 
officer of the legionary corps raised in Rhode Island, 
In the year 1799, he was appointed by the legislature 
of that State, brigadier general of militia. The 
mother of William Henry Allen, was the sister of 
the present Governor of Rhode Island. It was the 
intention of his parent that Henry should have re- 
ceived a liberal education ; and he went through the 
preparatory studies. He panted, however, for more 
active life ; and, notwitstanding the pressing remon- 
strances of his parents, he entered the navy, as a 
midshipman, in May 1800. 

In three months after his appointment, he was 
ordered on board the frigate George Washington, 
commanded by Commodore Bainbridge, to carry 
presents to the Dey of Algiers. On his departure, 
he WTites to his father, "I now bid you a short adieu; 
but, should it be the last, you shall have the satisfac- 
tion to hear of my good conduct in my station as an 
officer and as a gentleman." 



248 SERVICE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 

This cruise was attended with peculiarity of inci- 
dent. The demand of the Dey of Algiers, that the 
frigate should be employed in carrying his presents 
to the Grand Seignior, at Constantinople, and the 
unavailing reluctance and remonstrances of Captain 
Bainbridge, are circumstances generally known. 

It was the first time that the llag of an American 
frigate had waved in the harbour of Constantinople. 
The fine order of the ship, and the excellent discipline 
observed among the otficers and men, tended to im- 
press very high ideas of the American character in a 
quarter of the world where before it was unknown. 

Commodore Bainbridge returned to America, on 
the 19th of April, 1801, when a reduction of the 
na\-y ensued. In eight days after tlie return of the 
subject of the present memoir, and while he was 
solacing himself in the hope of once more visiting his 
family and friends, he was ordered on board the 
Philadelphia, under the command of Captain Barron, 
to scour the Mediterranean sea again. 

He bade his friends a cordial adieu, and entered 
on the service with that promptitude that ever dis- 
tinguished him. Nothing material transpired during 
the cruise. The ship iTturned to tlie United States, 
on the 27th of June, 1802. For the first time, after 
his entrance into the service of liis country, was he 
now enabled to enjoy the society of his friends, and 
to visit his paternal abode. This, however, was but 
a short repose allowed him trom the fatigues o{ naval 
service, for in October, 1802, he sailed in the frigate 
John Adams, commanded by Captain Rodgers, to 
visit, for the third time, the shores of the Mediter- 
ranean. 



NARROW ESCAPE. 249 

During the voyage, he was informed, by his cor- 
respondent of a report, which afterwards proved to 
be unfounded, that a younger oflicer was advanced 
over his head. This is the manly reply of a boy of 
seventeen : " I am too well grounded in old principles 
to mind such assaults now. If the government de- 
cide thus, I can say — amen, with all my heart." 

Commodore Rodgers returned from this cruise, in 
December, 1803. Early in the year 1804-, he was 
ordered on board the frigate Congress, lying at 
Washington, of which he was appointed sailing 
master. This frigate sailed on the 1st of July, under 
the command of Captain Rodgers, for the Mediter- 
ranean. On the outward-bound passage, while the 
ship was lying to, in a violent gale, Allen was on 
the forcyard, assisting the sailors in taking a reef. 
Letting fall that part of the sail on which he had 
hold, he was precipitated headlong into the sea, to 
the depth of twenty feet, passing, in his fall, very 
near the anchor on the bows. Fortunatel)% he arose 
near the mizen chains, and, by taking hold on them, 
narrowly escaped inevitable death, as the ship was 
then drifting very fast. While cruising off the coast 
of Tripoli, Captain Rodgers intended, if the command 
should have devolved upon him, in consequence of the 
illness of Commodore Barron, an attack on that place. 
He took Allen with him in the schooner to take the 
soundings, preparatory to the anticipated assault. 
They entered the harbour with muffled oars ; and, 
after taking a sounding, and complete survey, they 
passed so near the Tripoline gunboats, that they dis- 
tinctly heard the men conversing below. They also 
heard the sentinels on the walls of the battery con- 
21 



250 MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE. 

versing together. As they were returning from the 
harbour, a heavy gale sprung up, and they had a 
narrow escape to the Nautilus, which vessel was then 
in the very act of leaving her position. 

In the month of October, 1805, Captain Rodgers 
removed to the frigate Constitution, and assumed the 
command of the squadron, in consequence of the re- 
turn of Captain Barron to the United States. Mr. 
Allen was also removed to the Constitution, and pro- 
moted to a lieutenancy. He served as third lieute- 
nant on board the Constitution, and returned in that 
frigate to the United States, in the year 1806. 

During these several cruises to the Mediterranean, 
although nothing transpired on board of the frigates 
where Lieutenant Allen was stationed, that might 
fairly be denominated naval glory, still a peculiarity 
of circumstances gave a lofty and elevated tone to the 
feelings of all the officers. An American squadron 
in the waters of the Mediterranean was itself a 
novelty. That squadron was small, and it was des- 
tined to pass under the review and strict scrutiny of 
English ships of war occasionally stationed in these 
seas, and passing the straits of Gibraltar. Personal 
courage, skill, and correctness of discipline, could 
alone insure them respect in a company so illustrious ; 
and to these points all their efforts were directed. 
They felt the high responsibility attached to their 
station, and, knowing how important the first impres- 
sion of a national character was, they acted up to 
that dignity which the occasion demanded. 

After this long and fatiguing cruise, he was per- 
mitted, for a short time, to visit his friends and 
relations in Providence. In February, 1807, he 



AFFAIR OF THE CHESAPEAKE. 251 

received orders from Government to join the frigate 
Cliesapeake, commanded by Captain Barron, tlien 
fitting out at Washington, for the straits. He re- 
mained at Philadelphia while the ship was preparing 
for sea, during which time he was busily employed in 
recruiting men for the service, and then entered as 
third lieutenant. The attack on the Chesapeake, 
by the Leopard, succeeded shortly after the former 
sailing. The unfortunate result of this affair was 
peculiarly trying to Lieutenant Allen, and his feelings 
were very warmly expressed at the time in his letters. 
The only gun that was fired at the Leopard, during 
the encounter, was touched off by Mr. Allen, by 
means of a coal held in his fingers. 

During the operation of the embargo, in 1808, the 
Chesapeake, to which Lieutenant Allen was still at- 
tached, cruised off Block island, and captured several 
vessels violating the law. From motives of delicacy, 
he desired to be excused from boarding any vessels 
belonging to his native State. Mr. Allen remained 
in the Chesapeake, in this service, until February 
1809, when he was ordered, by government, to join 
the frigate United States, while lying at Washington, 
under the command of Commodore Decatur. The 
Commodore was himself absent, and the equipping 
of the frigate was a duty that devolved on his first 
lieutenant, who was not, for a space of two months, 
absent a moment from the navy yard. This ship 
lay part of the time at Norfolk, and the remainder of 
the time was engaged in short cruises on the coast, 
until the declaration of war against Great Britain, in 
1812. Shortly after, the United States frigate sailed 
upon a cruise; and on the 25th of October, 1812, in 



252 CAPTURE OF THE MACEDONIAN. 

latitude 29, N. longitude 29, 30. W., fell in with His 
Britannic Majesty's ship, the Macedonian, commanded 
by Captain Garden. She was a frigate of the lai'gest 
class, mounting forty-nine carriage guns, and reputed 
one of the swiftest sailers in the British navy. When 
this frigate first hove in sight, and while orders were 
given on board of the United States to prepare for 
action, Lieutenant Allen mounted aloft; and, after 
watching her closely for some time, at length dis- 
covered the English pennant. He descended to his 
comrades, who were impatiently awaiting him below, 
and jocosely pronounced the frigate a lawful prize. 
The enemv having the advantage of the wind, fouirht 
at his own distance, and the contest was kept up for 
one hour and fifty minutes. The United States 
poured such an incessant fire, that the shouts from 
the crew of the Macedonian were distinctlv heard, 
who. from that cause, apprehended her to be in flames. 
Her colours were, nevertheless, hauled down shortly 
afterwards. In the engagement, she lost her mizen- 
mast, fore and main-topmasts, and mainvard. She 
was likewise much damaged in her hull. Thirty-six 
were killed and forty-eight wounded. On board the 
United States frigate five only were killed, and seven 
wounded. The American frigate received so little 
damage in this engagement, that she would still have 
continued her cruise, had it not been necessary for 
her to accompany her prize into port, on account of 
the crippled state of the British frigate. Any com- 
ments on this splendid action — an action so glorious 
to the arms of our countrymen — would surely now 
be needless. 

In the United States frigate, Lieutenant Allen was 



TREATMENT OF THE PRISOXERS, 253 

most assiduous in exercising and training the crew to 
the use of the artillery. The accuracy with which 
the guns were directed, and the celerity with which 
they could be fired, evince the improvement of their 
discipline ; and, indeed, it could not be surpassed. 
After Captain Garden had gone on board the United 
States, Lieutenant Allen requested the other officers 
to go in a boat which was ready for them. The first 
lieutenant of the Macedonian surlily said, " You do 
not intend to send me away without my baggage?" 

"I hope," replied Allen, "you do not suppose you 
have been taken by privatcersmen ?" 

*• I do not know" — replied the other rudely — ''by 
whom I am taken." 

Lieutenant Allen sternly ordered him instantly into 
the boat, and he immediately went. Lieutenant Allen 
placed a guard over the baggage of the officers, and, 
as soon as the other duties which demanded his at- 
tention were concluded, he sent the same day all the 
bago^age on board the United States. The surgeon 
of the Macedonian continued on board ; and he fre- 
quently, in conversation, bore testunony to the kind- 
ness of Lieutenant Allen, towards that part of the crew 
remaining in the Macedonian, particularly toward the 
wounded. The wardroom officers of the Macedonian 
expressed to the wardroom officers of the United 
States, a deep sense of the civilities which they had 
received; and wished to give, jointly, another expres- 
sion of their gratitude, in a writing which might be 
considered as a letter to all British officers, to secure 
their good treatment, in case the United States should 
be captured. This certificate of protection was very 

properly declined. 

22 



254 ALLEN BRINGS IN THE PRIZE. 

To Lieutenant Allen was entrusted the honourable 
charge of bringing the prize into port, and she safely- 
arrived in the harbour of New York, amidst the 
enthusiastic gratulations of our countrymen. His 
share in this glorious action cannot be better ex- 
pressed than in the words of Commodore Decatur 
himself: " It would be unjust," continues this gallant 
officer, " it would be unjust in me to discriminate, 
where all met my fullest expectations. Permit me, 
however, to recommend to the particular notice of 
the Secretary, my first lieutenant, Wm. H. Allen, 
who has served with me upwards of five years ; and to 
his unremitted exertions, in disciplining the crew, is 
to be imputed the obvious superiority of our gunnery, 
exhibited in the result of this conquest." 

The corporation and citizens of New York honour- 
ed him and his commander with a splendid and superb 
festival; and the legislatures of Rhode Island and 
Virginia presented him with a sword, as a testimonial 
of their sense of his gallant services. There was 
every thing in this victory which could gratify the 
pride of an American. The individual injury done to 
our enemy by the loss of a frigate, or the advantage 
to ourselves, by acquiring one, is nothing. It in- 
spires a loftiness of feeling, a confidence, that is 
communicated to other souls, and introduces a strain 
of patriotic sensations perfectly novel. It breaks 
the sea-spell that seemed to surround the navy of 
England. 

When the Macedonian struck, Lieutenant Allen, 
in taking possession, came alongside. Those on 
board were so uncivil as to neglect handing him a 
rope, for the purpose of getting on board, and he had 



VISIT OF THE GOVERNOR. 255 

to clamber up the side by the chains. Arriving at 
Nantucket shoals, the United States frigate and the 
Macedonian, which, before, had continually kept to- 
gether, then parted in a gale. The wind was so high, 
he entertained serious apprehensions that the vessel 
would founder. He determined, as a last resort, to 
anchor where she was, putting two or three cables on 
end. He thought he could ride any gale in that 
manner, and would not believe the contrary, until it 
was proved by experiment. The storm, however, 
abated, and he arrived safe at Newport, to the great 
exultation of the inhabitants of that place, on the same 
day of the same month that Admiral Parker arrived 
there with his fleet, during our revolutionary war. 

He here received a visit from his uncle, the 
Governor of Rhode Island, whom he invited down, 
and saluted with a discharge of nine guns on his 
arrival on board. While in the Sound, waiting a 
favourable wind, to proceed to New York, he was 
visited by people from all parts of the adjacent country. 

The Sunday previous to the battle, the wardroom 
officers of the Macedonian toasted an American fri- 
gate. On the following Sunday, they were gratified 
by the fulfilment of their wishes. 

After this. Lieutenant Allen was allowed some 
little respite from the naval service ; he visited his 
native land, and received the kind congratulations of 
his relatives and friends, in the bosom of his paternal 
abode. This repose was, however, but of short dura- 
tion ; the strong and imperative calls of his country, 
once more summoned him to active duty. 

Shortly after the arrival of the Macedonian at 
New York, the Argus returned to that port, com- 



256 TAKES THE MINISTER TO FRANCE. 

manded by Captain Sinclair. He obtained leave to 
visit his friends ; and, by order of Commodore De- 
catur, Lieutenant Allen took the command. He 
thoroughly repaired the vessel, and received an order 
from the Commodore to go in quest of a British brig 
of war, reported to be in the Sound. The whole 
crew of the Hornet, commanded by Lieutenant Shu- 
brick, volunteered their services. He remained in 
the Sound for the space of a week, without meeting 
with the enemy, when he received the orders of the 
Commodore to return. 

On the death of Mr. Barlow, our Minister at the 
court of France, our government deemed it expedient 
to renew the negotiation. Mr. Crawford was ap- 
pointed as his successor; and the subject of the 
present memoir, now advanced to the rank of master 
and commander, was directed to take command of 
the Argus, and to conduct our minister to the place of 
his destination. He accepted the appointment with 
his usual promptitude, and sailed with our new min- 
ister for France. He was so fortunate as to elude 
the vigilance of the blockading squadron, and arrived 
at the port of L' Orient, in twenty-three days. He 
informs the Secretary of the Navy, in his letter, bear- 
ing date June 12th, 1813, that "he shall immediately 
proceed to put in execution his orders as to the ulte- 
terior purposes of his destination." 

The business here, which, from prudential motives, 
is so darkly hinted at, was, undoubtedly, as appears 
from the sequel, to sail in the Irish channel, and 
annoy the English commerce. It was a service, to a 
man fond of glory, peculiarly invidious. Such con- 
quests were attended with no honour; and Captain 



TREATMENT OF THE ENEMY. 257 

Allen, in compliance with his orders, seemed pecu- 
liarly solicitous, in the discharge of this unthankful 
office, to make the enemy feel and confess the motives 
by which he was guided. The injury which he did 
to the British commerce is, in some of their papers, 
estimated to the amount of two millions. While thus 
employed in burning, sinking, and destroying the 
enemy's property, Captain Allen was peculiarly care- 
ful to distinguish his character from those who depre- 
dated for selfish purposes only. The property of the 
passengers was sacred from hostility ; not an article 
of that kind would he suffer to be touched. The 
passengers were allowed to go below, and to take 
what they claimed as their own, and no hands be- 
longing to the- Argus were permitted to inspect them 
while they were employed in so doing. On one 
occasion, when a passenger had left his surtout be- 
hind him, it was sent after him in the boat; on 
another occasion. Captain Allen ordered one of his 
hands, who was detected in the act of some petty 
plunder of this kind, to be flogged at the gangway. 
The English papers, while they were writhing under 
the severe injuries thus inflicted, were unanimous in 
their testimonials of respect to the conduct of this 
gallant officer, for the humanity and delicacy with 
which he performed a service so invidious. Probably 
no action of his life could more plainly distinguish 
his character than this ; he loved danger, as much as 
he abhorred to plunder the defenceless. 

It appears very evident, that if prudence was con- 
sulted, it was his duty to avoid an engagement. The 
damage which he might have done the enemy, by 
another species of warfare, was, beyond all comparison, 
2K 22* 



258 CAPTURE OF THE ARGUS. 

greater than by risking a battle, even if fortune should 
decide the controversy in his favour. Even a victory 
ensured capture, for, alone and unsupported as he wsls, 
his own ship would, in all human probability, suffer 
material injury, and both the captured and the captor 
become the prize of one of the many frigates then 
swarming in the English channel. These considera- 
tions, however, would have but little weight with him. 
He declared previously to his setting out, that he 
would run from no two masted vessel. Anxious to 
quit himself of a business which he so much disliked, 
he sought an opportunity to act in a situation more 
congenial to his feelings. He burned for an encounter 
with an^ enemy even of considerably superior force, 
with whom he might risk an encounter; and the op- 
portunity finally presented itself. 

By the official letter of Lieutenant Watson to the 
Secretary of the Navy, dated at Norfolk, on the 2d 
of March, 1815, it appears that the number of vessels 
captured by tlie Argus during the cruise was twenty, 
and that in latitude 52° 15', N. longitude 5° 50' W., 
on the 14lh of August, 1813, at four o'clock, P. M., 
they discovered a large brig of war bearing down 
upon tliem, under a press of sail, and immediately 
prepared to receive her. The action commenced at 
six o'clock, and lasted till forty-seven minutes past 
six, during a greater part of which time the enemy, 
having a choice of position which enabled him to rake 
the Argus repeatedly, and to render her unmanage- 
able from the injury done to the rigging in the early 
part of the action, reduced the Argus to a complete 
wreck, and she was finally compelled to strike. This 
result is not to be wondered at, when we consider 



MR. HAWKER'S LETTER. 259 

the superior force of the enemy's vessel, which was 
the sloop of war Pelican, of twenty-one carriage guns; 
viz., sixteen thirty-two pound carronades, four long 
sixes, and one twelve pound carronade.* The Argus 
lost six killed in the action, five who subsequently 
died of their wounds, and twelve wounded. Among 
the killed were two midshipmen — Messrs. Delphy 
and Edwards — and among the mortally wounded, 
was the gallant Captain Allen himself. He was des- 
perately wounded in the early part of the action ; re- 
fused to be carried below, and fainted on the deck 
from the loss of blood. When he was removed from 
his berth to the hospital, for amputation, he cast his 
languid eyes on his faithful comrades, and feelingly 
pronounced these words : " God bless you, my lads ! 
we shall never meet again." The following letter 
will speak for itself. 

[Copy of a letter from John Hawker, Esq., cidevant 
American vice consul, dated] 

'■'• Plymouth, 19th August, 1813. 

"Sir: — The situation I have had the honour to hold for many 
years past, of American vice consul, calls forth my poignant feelings 
in the communication I have to make to you, of the death of your 
son, Captain Allen, late commanding the United States' brig of war 
Argus, which vessel was captured on Saturday last, in the Irish 
channel, after a very sharp action of three-quarters of an hour, by 
His Britannic Majesty's ship Pelican. 

" Early in the contest, Captain Allen lost his leg, but refused to 
be carried below, till, from the loss of blood, he fainted. Messrs. 
Edwards and Delphy, midshipmen, and four seamen, were killed; 
and Lieutenant Watson, the carpenter, boatswain, boatswain's mate, 
and seven men wounded. Captain Allen submitted to amputation 

* The Argus rated sixteen, and carried twenty guns ; viz., eighteen 
twenty-four pound carronodes, and two long twelves. The British 
state their loss at seven killed and wounded. 



260 DEATH OF CAPTAIN ALLEN. 

above the knee, while at sea. He was yesterday morning attended 
by very eminent surgical geiUlemen, and removed from the Argus 
to the hospital, where every possible attention and assistance would 
have been aflbrded, had he survived ; but which was not, from the 
first moment, expected, from the shattered state of his thigh. At 
eleven, last night, he breathed his last! He was sensible, at inter- 
vals, till within ten minutes of his dissolution, when he sunk ex- 
hausted, and expired without a struggle. His lucid intervals were 
very cheerful ; and he was satistied and fully sensible that no 
advice or assistance would be wanting. A detached room was 
prepared by the commissary and chief surgeon, and female attend- 
ants engaged, that every tenderness and respect might be experienced. 
The master, purser, surgeon, and one midshipman, accompanied 
Captain Allen, who was also attended by liis two servants. 

" I have communicated and arranged with the ofTicers respecting 
the funeral, which will be in the most respectful, and, at the same 
time, economical manner. The port admiral has signified that it is 
the mtention of His Britannic Majesty's government that it be pub- 
licly attended by officers of rank, and with military honours. The 
time fixed for the procession is on Saturday, at eleven, A. M. A 
lieutenant-colonel's guard, of the Royal Marines, is also appointed. 
A wainscot coffin has been ordered ; on the breastplate of which 
will be inscribed as below.* Mr. Delphy, one of the midshipmen 
who lost both legs, and died at sea, was buried yesterday, in St. 
Andrew's churchyard. I have requested that Captain Allen may 
be buried as near him, on the right, (in the same vault, if practica- 
ble,) as possible. 

" I remain, respectfully, sir, 

" Your m6st obedient hnmble servant, 
(Signed.) " Joii.v Hawker. 

" Cidevant American vice consul. 

"To General Allen, &c., &c., &c., 
" Providence, Rhode Island." 

The following extract from a London paper, shows 
the order of procession. 

* A tablet, whereon w-ill be recorded the name, rank, age, and character of the 
deceased, and also of the midshipman, will be placed, (if it can he contrived,) as 
I have suggested ; both having lost their Uves in fighting for their country. 



THE FUNERAL. 261 

" Ply?nottth, August 24. 

" On Saturday last, the 21st, was interred with 
military honours, William Henry Allen, Esq., late 
commander of the United States sloop of war Argus, 
who lost his left leg in an action with His Majesty's 
sloop of war Pelican, J. F. Maples, Esq., captain, in 
St. George's channel, the 14th inst., whereof he died 
in the Mill Prison hospital, on the 15th following. 

" Procession. — Guard of honour. Lieutenant- 
colonel of Royal Marines, with two companies of that 
corps. The captains, suhalterns, and field adjutant. 
(Officers with hatbands and scarfs.) Royal Marine 
band. Vicar and Curate of St. Andrew's. Clerk 
of ditto. The Hearse — with the corpse of the de- 
ceased Captain — attended by eight seamen, late of the 
Argus, with crape round their arms, tied with white 
crape ribbon. Also eight British captains, of the 
Royal Navy, as Pall-bearers, with hatbands and 
scarfs. Captain Allen's servants, in mourning. The 
officers late of the Argus, in uniform, with crape 
sashes and hatbands, two and two. John Hawker, 
Esq., late American vice consul, and his clerks. 
Captain Pellowe, commissioner for prisoners of war. 
Dr. Magrath, chief medical officer at Mill Prison 
depot. Captains of the Royal Navy in port, two 
and two — followed by a very numerous and respect- 
able retinue of inhabitants. 

" The procession left Mill Prison at twelve o'clock. 
The coffin was covered with a velvet pall, and the 
ensign under which the action was fought, and upon 
that the hat and sword of the deceased were laid. 
On the coffin being removed to the hearse, the guard 
saluted ; and, when deposited in the hearse, the pro- 



262 CHARACrER OF ALLEN. 

cession moved forward, the band playing the * Dead 
March in Saul.' On their arrival near the church, 
the guard halted and clubbed arms, single files in- 
ward, through which the procession passed to the 
church, into which the corpse was carried, and de- 
posited in the centre aisle, while the funeral service 
was read by the reverend Vicar, after which it was 
removed and interred in the south yard, (passing 
through the guard in the same manner from as to the 
church,) on the right of Mr. Delpliy, midshipman of 
the Argus, who lost both his legs in the same action, 
and was buried the preceding evening." 

Thus lived and died, William Henry Allen. By 
the company and conversation of the elegant and 
polite, the hard and severe duties of the sailor ac- 
quired a sort of polish, and his character presented 
that combination of gallantry, grace, and intrepidity, 
that so irresistibly attracts. In the hour of danger, 
he was calm, intrepid and persevering; in private in- 
tercourse guarded, affable, and delicate. Entering 
into the navy with large and expanded ideas of honour, 
the perils he encountered, and the hard service he 
endured, consolidated his romantic and floating visions 
into rules and principles of action. By never lower- 
ing his lofty standard amidst the jostle of so many 
contending difficulties, he at length arrived at the 
eminence which he sougiit, and new trials served 
only to call into exercise new and unexplored re- 
sources of fortitude. He had so long forsaken every 
other consideration for glory, that he finally measured 
his life by this standard, and felt a repulsive anti- 
pathy to whatever fell short of that measure.* 

* Port Folio. 




JOHNSTON BLAKELEY. 

OHNSTON BLAKELEY was 

born near the village of Scaford, 
in the county of Down, Ireland, 
in the month of October, 1781. 
Two years afterwards his father, 
Mr. John Blakelcy, emigrated to 
this country ; and, after residing 
at Philadelphia a few months, 
left it for Charleston, Soutn 
Carolina, with a view of engaging in business. Meet- 
ing, however, with but little encouragement at Charles- 
ton, he finally removed to Wilmington, North Caro- 
lina, allured by more favourable prospects. Soon 
' •' 263 




264 ENTERS THE UNIVERSITY. 

after his establishment at this place, Mr. Blakeley was 
deprived, one by one, of his wife, and all his children, 
except his son Johnston. 

Ascribing these successive losses to the insalubrity 
of the climate, which is said to be peculiarly un- 
favourable to children, Mr. Blakeley was induced to 
send his only surviving son to New York; as well 
with a view to the preservation of his health, as to 
afford him an opportunity of acquiring an education. 
Johnston was, accordingly, in the year 1790, sent to 
that place, and committed to the care of Mr. Hoope, 
a respectable merchant of that place, and an old 
friend of his father. Here he remained five years, 
assiduously pursuing his studies ; at the end of which 
he returned to Wilmington, where he remained 
for some time without any particular pursuit or oc- 
cupation. 

It was the intention of his father to bring him up 
to the law, and, with a view to qualify him for that 
profession, he was placed, in 1796, at the University 
of North Carolina, — a most respectable institution, 
situated at Chapel Hill, in the county of Orange. 
While pursuing his studies here, he was deprived of 
his father, who died the year after young Blakely 
entered the University ; leaving behind him the cha- 
racter of a good man, equally exemplary as a parent 
and a citizen. Young Blakeley was now without a 
relative in this country, to whom he could look up 
for advice, or protection, or assistance ; and it became 
necessary for him to choose a guardian. In this 
choice he was singularly fortunate, in the selection 
of Mr. Jones, an eminent lawyer, of Wilmington, who 
mos+ tenderly and generously supplied the place of a 



ENTERS THE NAVY. 265 

father. With occasional intermissions, he remained 
at college till some time in the year 1799; when, by- 
some misfortune, of which we have never been able 
to obtain any distinct account, and which, therefore, 
we will not attempt to detail, he was deprived of the 
support derived from his father, and compelled to re- 
linquish his studies at the University, as well as his 
intention of practising the law. 

Having long had a predilection for a naval life, — 
which, however, he had, with a self-denial worthy of 
imitation, concealed from his father, — he sohcited, 
and, through the friendly exertions of Mr. Jones, 
obtained a midshipman's warrant, in the year 1800. 
It is but just to state, however, that previous to 
making this application, Mr. Jones, desirous that his 
young ward should fulfil the wishes of his deceased 
parent, kindly offered to take him to his house, and 
to afford him every facility m his power, to complete 
his legal studies. Unwilling to accumulate obliga- 
tions he might never repay, and, perhaps, too, stimu- 
lated by a clear perception of the line of life nature 
had marked out for him, he declined this generous 
offer. In every subsequent situation, he retained and 
demonstrated the most grateful recollection of Mr. 
Jones's friendship, and, to the end of his life, acknow- 
ledged him his benefactor. 

" As any thing" — writes the gentlemen who fur- 
nished us the materials for this Biography, and whose 
language we have almost every where followed — 
" which illustrates the character of so much departed 
worth, especially where the qualities of the heart are 
so well calculated to excite our admiration, cannot 
but be interesting, I have furnished a few extracts 
2 L 23 



266 CORRESPONDENCE. 

from the letters of Captain Blakeley, written to me at 
various periods. Having been deprived of his father 
at an age when the desire of knowing something of 
his family was beginning to be felt, it was not in his 
power to gratify his inquiries on that subject, in a 
satisfactory manner, until May 1811, when I had the 
pleasure of opening a correspondence with him. 

" In his first letter, dated on board the United 
States' brig Enterprise, May 9th, 1811, he manifested 
his anxiety to obtain the wished for information, re- 
lative to his connexions, in the following manner : — 
' It would afford me great gratification to hear from 
you all the information you possess respecting my 
relations. This trouble your goodness will excuse, 
when I inform you that for fourteen years I have not 
beheld one being to whom I was bound by any tie of 
consanguinity.' In another letter, written soon after, 

he observes, ' The affection manifested by is 

truly grateful to my heart. Indeed, I begin already 
to feel for her a filial regard, and the more so, as it 
was my lot to lose my mother before I was sensible 
of a mother's tenderness.' In reply to a letter, in 
which the solicitude for his professional reputation 
was cordially expressed by the female above alluded 
to, he remarks — ' Should I be fortunate enough to 
acquire any fame, my good old friend will make 
me debtor for more than half With her prayers 
for my success can I doubt it? I hope the last 
Blakeley who exists will lay down his life ere he 
tarnish the reputation of those who have gone before 
him. My father's memory is very dear to me, and I 
trust his son will never cast a reproach on it.' In 
another, he observes, ' It is true that in the war in 



CORRESPONDENCE. 267 

which we are engaged, we have to contend under 
great disadvantages; but this should stimulate to 
greater exertions, and we have already seen that our 
enemy is not invincible.' In a letter, dated on board 
the Enterprise, the 29th. of April, 1813, he observes, 
' Independent of personal feeling, I rejoice at the good 
fortune of the navy, believing it to be that description 
of force best adapted to the defence of this country 
I confess the success of our sailors has been much 
greater than I had any reason to expect, taking into 
view the many difficulties they had to encounter. 
The charm which once seemed to have encircled the 
British navy, and rendered its very name formidable, 
appears to be fast dispelling.' 

" In a letter, dated Newburyport, 28th January, 
1814, he remarks: 'I shall ever view as one of the 
most unfortunate events of my life, having quitted the 
Enterprise at the moment I did. Had I remained in 
her a fortnight longer, my name might have been 
classed with those who stand so high. I cannot but 
consider it a mortifying circumstance that I left her, 
but a few days before she fell in with the only enemy 
on this station with which she could have creditably 
contended. I confess I felt heartily glad when I re- 
ceived my order to take command of the Wasp, con- 
ceiving that there was no hope of doing any thing in 
the Enterprise. But when I heard of the contest of 
the latter ship, and witnessed the great delay in the 
equipment of the former, I had no cause to congratu- 
late myself The Peacock has ere this spread her 
plumage to the winds, and the Frolic will soon take 
her revels on the ocean, but the Wasp will, I fear, 
remain for some time a dull, harmless drone in the 



26S APPOINTED TO THE WASP. 

waters of her own country. Why this is, I am not 
permitted to inquire.' " 

These extracts will strike the reader as beins; 
stronjrlv indicative of an amiable and heroic charac- 
ter. There is something; touching in his gratitude 
to the good old lady who had manifested an interest 
in his successes. There is something noble in his 
reference to the memory of his father, as a motive 
stimulating; him in the path of honour ; and tliere is 
something heroic, we think, in the unaliectcd manner 
in which he expresses his regret at hanng left the 
Enterprise. It is not necessary to remind the reader 
that it was in the action between that vessel and the 
Boxer that Burroughs conquered, and lost his life. 
Yet Blakeley regretted he had not been in his' place, 
either because he considered the sacrifice of life as a 
cheap price lor the purchase of glory, or had forgot, 
in his love of fame, that such a price had been paid. 
But he was determined before long to acquire at least 
equal reputation, and to perish equally with the re- 
grets of his country. 

After various services, which it is unnecessary to 
particularize, as they afforded no opportunity to ac- 
quire distinction, Blakeley was made a master com- 
mandant, in 1S13, and soon after appointed to the 
Wasp. In this vessel he fell in with, in latitude 4S^ 
36', N., His Britannic Majesty's ship Reindeer, 
mounting sixteen twentv-four pound carronades, two 
long nine-pounders, and a shitting twelve pound car- 
ronade ; and having a complement of one hundred 
and eighteen men. An action commenced ; and, in 
nineteen minutes, ended in the capture of the Reindeer. 
The loss of the Americans was twenty-one killed and 



LOSS OF THE WASP. 271 

wounded ; that of the enemy sixty-seven. The Rein- 
deer was cut to pieces, in such a manner as to render 
it impossible to save her ; and she was accordingly 
set on fire. After this the Wasp put into L' Orient; 
from which port she sailed the 27th of August, and 
four days afterwards falling in with ten sail of mer- 
chantmen, under convoy of a ship of the line, she 
succeeded in cutting off one of the vessels. 

The evening of the l&t of September, 1814, she fell 
in with four sail, two on each bow, — but at consider- 
able distances from each other. The first was the 
British brig of war Avon, which struck after a severe 
action ; but Captain Blakeley could not take posses- 
sion, as another enemy was now approaching. This 
enemy, it seems, however, was called off to the as- 
sistance of the Avon, which was now sinking. The 
enemy reported that they had sunk the Wasp by the 
first broadside ; but she was afterwards spoken by a 
vessel off the Western Isles. After this we hear of 
her no more ; and though her fate is certain, the cir- 
cumstances attending it are beyond the reach of dis- 
covery. The most general impression is, that she 
was lost by one of those casualties incident to the 
great deep, which have destroyed so many gallant 
vessels, in a manner no one knows how — for there are 
so many uncertainties connected with the unfathom- 
able deep, that even imagination is bewildered in 
tracing the fate of those who are only known to have 
perished, because they are never more heard of or 
seen. Another impression is, that the Wasp, very 
shortly after being spoken off the Western Isles, had 
a severe engagement with a British frigate, which put 
into Lisbon in a shattered condition ; and reported 



272 CHARACTER OF BLAKELEY. 

having had an action, in the night, with a vessel, 
. which was not seen next morning, although the whole 
night had been calm. 

But, whatever may have been the fate of Blakeley, 
this much is certain, — that he will, to use his own 
expression, "be classed among those names that stand 
so high." The lustre of his exploits, not less than 
the interest excited by those who remember how, in 
his very boyhood, he was left, as he says, without a 
single being around him with whom he could claim 
kindred blood, — how, by his merit, he obtained 
friends, and conferred honour on that country which 
was not only his parent, but which has become the 
parent of his only child, — and how, last of all, he 
perished God only knows how or where, — has all 
given to his character, his history, his achievements, 
and his fate, a romantic interest, marking the name 
of Blakeley for lasting and affectionate remembrance. 

In his person. Captain Blakeley was rather below 
the middle stature ; his eyes black, expressive, intel- 
ligent, and animated ; his manners mild, manly, and 
unassuming; and his person handsome. Notwith- 
standing his professional duties, which were scarcely 
interrupted from the time of his obtaining a warrant, 
his literary and scientific acquirements were very 
respectable ; and among his brother officers he was 
always considered as a man of uncommon intellect, 
as well as of great courage and professional skill. 
He was married, in December, 1813, to Miss Jane 
Hoope, the daughter of his father's old friend, Mr. 
Hoope, of New York; and has left an only daughter, 
who has lately received one of the most noble and 
substantial and affecting tributes of national gratitude 



GENERAL REMARKS. 273 

which has occurred in the history of this country. 
The legislature of North Carolina, on the 27th of 
December, 1816, after prescribing the destination of 
the sword they had voted to Captain Blakeley, "Re- 
solved, unanimously. That Captain Blakeley's child 
be educated at the expense of this State; and that 
Mrs. Blakeley be requested to draw on the Treasurer 
of this State, from time to time, for such sums of 
money as shall be required for the education of the 
said child." 

This, we repeat it, is substantial gratitude. It is 
classical, too, — and reminds us of those noble eras 
in the history of some of the illustrious states of 
Greece, when the offspring of those who had fallen 
for their country, became the children of that country 
whose cause had made them fatherless. It is in this 
way that our states may acquire a sort of parental 
character, that will endear them still more to the 
hearts of the citizens ; that will inspire fathers to die 
in defence of their country, and mothers to educate 
their children to follow the example. It is in this 
way, too, that the different members of the union may 
nobly indulge their local feelings, and display their 
honest homebred affections. Let them exemplify 
their desire to appropriate to themselves the fame of 
their distinguished citizens, by their peculiar care in 
honouring their memory, and cherishing their help- 
less orphans. It is thus that our sister states ought 
ever to display their rivalry ; — by being as zealous to 
reward, as they are to appropriate the achievements 
of their sons.* 

* Analectic Magazine, vol. ix. 
2M 




STEPHEN DECATUR. 




N some families, it would 

seem that chivalry runs 

in the blood. The 

Bayards, Biddies, and 

Decaturs, are born to a 

-^ heroic destiny by the 

^^_ right of inheritance. 

t When we meet with 



their names in historyi 



we feel assured of what is to follow ; and their most 
daring feats hardly excite an emotion of surprise. 
Among the many members of his family distinguished 
for their bravery, the most celebrated is the subject 



^f iW, 



c mprnnir. 



274 



EARLY LIFE. 275 

Commodore Decatur was of French descent, by 
the male line. His grandfather was a native of La 
Rochelle, in France, and married a lady of Rhode 
Island. His father, Stephen Decatur, was born in 
Newport, Rhode Island, and, when a very young 
man, removed to Philadelphia, where he married the 
daughter of an Irish gentleman by the name of Pine, 
He was bred to the sea, and commanded a merchant 
vessel out of the port of Philadelphia, until the esta- 
blishment of the navy, when he was appointed to 
command the Delaware sloop of war. He continued 
in her until the frigate Philadelphia was built, when 
the command of that ship was given to him, at the 
particular request of the merchants, who had built 
her by subscription. In this situation he remained 
until peace was made with France, when he resigned 
his commission, and retired to his residence, a few 
miles from Philadelphia, where he resided until his 
death, which happened in November, 1808. 

His son, Stephen Decatur, the late Commodore, 
was born on the 5th January, 1779, on the eastern 
shore of Maryland, whither his parents had retired, 
while the British were in possession of Philadelphia. 
They returned to that city when he was a few months 
old, and he was there educated and brought up. 

He entered the navy in March, 1798, as midship- 
man, and joined the frigate United States, under the 
command of Commodore Barry, who had obtained 
the warrant for him. He continued for some time 
with that officer, and was promoted to the rank of 
lieutenant. The United States at that time required 
some repairs, and, not wishing to remain in port, he 
requested an order to join the brig Norfolk, then 



276 SERVICE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 

bound to the Spanish Main. He performed one 
cruise in her, as first heutenant, and, on his return to 
port, resumed his station on board the United States, 
where he remained, until peace was concluded with 
France. 

He was then ordered to the Essex, as first lieute- 
nant, and sailed with Commodore Dale's squadron to 
the Mediterranean. On the return of that squadron, 
he was ordered to the New York, one of the second 
Mediterranean squadron, under the command of 
Commodore Morris. 

When he returned to the United States, he was 
ordered to take command of the Argus, and proceed 
in her to join Commodore Preble's squadron, then in 
the Mediterranean, and, on his arrival there, to resign 
the command of the Argus to Lieutenant Hull, and 
take the schooner Enterprise, then commanded by that 
ofiicer. After making that exchange, he proceeded 
to Syracuse, where the squadron was to rendezvous. 
On his arrival at that port, he was informed of the 
fate of the frigate Philadelphia, which had run aground 
on the Barbary coast, and fallen into the hands of the 
Tripolitans. The idea immediately presented itself 
to his mind of attempting her recapture or destruc- 
tion. On Commodore Preble's arrival, a few days 
afterwards, he proposed to him a plan for the purpose, 
and volunteered his services to execute it. The wary 
mind of that veteran officer at first disapproved of an 
enterprise so full of peril ; but the risks and difficulties 
that surrounded it, only stimulated the ardour of 
Decatur, and imparted to it an air of adventure, 
fascinating to his youthful imagination. 

The consent of the Commodore having been ob- 



BURNING OF THE PHILADELPHIA. 277 

tained, Lieutenant Decatur selected for the expedition 
a ketch (the Intrepid) which he had captured a few 
weeks before from the enemy, and manned her with 
seventy volunteers, chiefly from his own crew. He 
sailed from Syracuse on the 3d of February, 1804, 
accompanied by the United States brig Syren, Lieu- 
tenant Stewart, who was to aid with his boats, and to 
receive the crew of the ketch, in case it should be 
found expedient to use her as a fire ship. 

After fifteen days of very tempestuous weather, 
they arrived at the harbour of Tripoli, a little before 
sunset. It had been arranged between lieutenants 
Decatur and Stewart, that the ketch should enter the 
harbour about ten o'clock that night, attended by the 
boats oC the Syren. On arriving off the harbour, the 
Syren, in consequence of a change of wind, had been 
thrown six or eight miles without the Intrepid. The 
wind at this time was fair, but fast declining, and 
Lieutenant Decatur apprehended that, should he wait 
for the Syren's boats to come up, it might be fatal to 
the enterprise, as they could not remain longer on the 
coast, their provisions being nearly exhausted. For 
these reasons he determined to adventure into the 
harbour alone, which he did about eight o'clock. 

An idea may be formed of the extreme hazard of 
the enterprise from the situation of the frigate. She 
was moored within half gunshot of the Bashaw's 
castle, and of the principal battery. Two of the 
enemy's cruisers lay within two cables' length, on the 
starboard quarter, and their gunboats within half gun 
shot, on the starboard bow. All the guns of i the 
frigate were mounted and loaded. Such were the 
immediate perils that our hero ventured to encounter 

24 



S78 BURNING OF THE PHILADELPHIA. 

with a single ketch, beside the other dangers that 
abound in a strongly fortified harbour. 

Although from the entrance to the place where the 
frigate lay, was only three miles, yet, in consequence 
of the lightness of the wind, they did not get within 
hail of her until eleven o'clock. When they had 
approached within two hundred yards, they were 
hailed and ordered to anchor, or they would be fired 
into. Lieutenant Decatur ordered a Maltese pilot, 
who was on board the ketch, to answer that they had 
lost their anchors in a gale of wind on the coast, and, 
therefore, could not comply with their request. By 
this time it had become perfectly calm, and they were 
about fifty yards from the frigate. Lieutenant De- 
catur ordered a small boat that was alongside of the 
ketch, to take a rope and make it fast to the frigate's 
forcchains. This being done, they began to warp the 
ketch alongside. It was not until this moment that 
the enemy suspected the character of their visitor, 
and great confusion immediately ensued. This en- 
abled our adventurers to get alongside of the frigate, 
when Decatur immediately sprang aboard, followed 
by Mr. Charles Morris, midshipman. These two 
were nearly a minute on deck, before their com- 
panions could succeed in mounting the side. Fortu- 
nately, the Turks had not sufficiently recovered from 
their surprise to take advantage of this delay. They 
were crowded together on the quarterdeck, perfectly 
astonished and aghast, without making any attempt 
to oppose the assailing party. As soon as a sufficient 
number of our men had gained the dock to form a 
front equal to that of the enemy, they rushed in upon 
them. The Turks stood the assault for a short time. 



BURNING OF THE PHILADELPHIA. 281 

and were completely overpowered. About twenty 
were killed on the spot, many jumped overboard, and 
the rest flew to the maindeck, whither they were pur- 
sued and driven to the hold. 

After entire possession had been gained of the ship, 
and every thing prepared to set fire to her, a number 
of launches were seen rowing- about the harbour. 
This determined Lieutenant Decatur to remain on 
board the frigate, from whence a better defence could 
be made than from on board the ketch. The enemy 
had already commenced firing on them from their 
batteries and castle, and from two corsairs that were 
lying near. Perceiving that the launches did not 
attempt to approach, he ordered the ship should be 
set on fire, which was done, at the same time, in 
different parts. As soon as this was done, they left 
her; and such was the rapidity of the flames, that 
it was with the utmost difficulty they preserved the 
ketch. At this critical moment a most propitious 
breeze sprang up, blowing directly out of the harbour, 
which, in a few moments, carried them out of reach 
of the enemy's guns, and they made good their re- 
treat without the loss of a single man, and with but 
four wounded. 

For this gallant and romantic achievement. Lieu- 
tenant Decatur was promoted to the rank of post 
captain, there being at that time no intermediate 
grade. This promotion was peculiarly gratifying to 
him, insomuch as it was done with the consent of the 
officers over whose heads he was raised. 

In the ensuing spring, it being determined to make 
an attack upon Tripoli, Commodore Preble obtained 
from the King of Naples, the loan of six gunboats 
2 4* N 



a82 ATTACK ON TRIPOLI. 

and two bombards, which he formed into two divi- 
sions, and gave the command of one of them to 
Captain Decatur, the other to Lieutenant Somers. 
The squadron sailed from Syracuse, consisting of the 
frigate Constitution, the brig Syren, the schooners 
Nautihis and Vixen, and the gunboats. 

Having arrived on the coast of Barbary, they were 
for some days prevented from making the attack, 
by adverse wind and weather. At length, on the 
morning of the 3d of August, the weather being 
favourable, the signal was made from the Commo- 
dore's ship to prepare for action, the light vessels 
towing the gunboats to windward. At nine o'clock, 
the signal was given for bombai'diug the enemy's 
vessels and the town. 

The gunboats were cast ofl' and advanced in a line 
ahead, led on by Captain Decatur, and covered by 
the frigate Constitution, and the brigs and schooners. 

The enemy's gunboats were moored along the 
harbour under the batteries and within musket shot. 
Their sails had been taken from them, and they were 
ordered to sink, rather than abandon their position. 
They were aided and covered, likewise, by a brig of 
sixteen, and a schooner of ten guns. 

Before entering into close action, Captain Decatur 
went alongside each of his boats, and ordered them 
to unship their bowsprits and follow him, as it was 
his intention to board the enemy's boats. 

Lieutenant James Decatur commanded one of the 
boats belonging to Commodore Preble's division^ 
but, being farther to windward than the rest of his 
division, he joined and took orders from his brother. 

When Captain Decatur, who was in the leading 



ATTACK ON TRIPOLI. 283 

boat, came within range of the fire from the batteries, 
a heavy fire was opened upon him from them and the 
gunboats. He returned their fire, and continued 
advancing, until he came in contact with the boats. 
At this time, Commodore Preble seeing Decatur ad- 
vancing nearer than he thought prudent, ordered the 
signal to be made for a retreat, but it was found that 
in making out the signals for the boats, the one for a 
retreat had been omitted. 

The enemy's boats had about forty men each; ours 
an equal number, twenty-seven of whom were Ameri- 
cans, and thirteen Neapolitans. 

Decatur, on boarding the enemy, was instantly 
followed by his countrymen, but the Neapolitans 
remained behind. The Turks did not sustain the 
combat hand to hand, with that firmness they had 
obtained a reputation for. In ten minutes the deck 
was cleared. Eight of them sought refuge in the 
hold, and, of the rest, some fell on the deck, and 
others jumped into the sea. Only three of the Ame- 
ricans were wounded. 

As Decatur was about to proceed out with his 
prize, the boat which had been commanded by his 
brother, came under his stern, and the men informed 
him that they had engaged and captured one of the 
enemy ; but that her commander, after surrendering, 
had treacherously shot Lieutenant James Decatur, 
and pushed off with the boat, and was then making 
for the harbour. 

The feelings of the gallant Decatur, on receiving 
this intelligence, may be more easily imagined than 
described. Every consideration of prudence and 
safety was lost in his eagerness to punish so dastardly 



284 ENCOUNTER WITH A TURK. 

an act, and to revenge the death of a brother so 
basely murdered. He pushed within the enemy's 
line with his single boat, and, having succeeded in 
getting alongside of the retreating foe, boarded her at 
the head of eleven men, who were all the Americans 
he had left. The fate of this contest was extremely 
doubtful for about twenty minutes. All the Americans, 
except four, were now severely wounded. Decatur 
singled out the commander as the peculiar object of 
his vengeance. The Turk was armed with an espon- 
toon, Decatur with a cutlass; in attempting to cut off 
the head of the weapon, his sword struck on the iron, 
and broke off close to the hilt. The Turk, at this 
moment, made a push, which slightly wounded him in 
the right arm and breast. He immediately seized the 
spear, and closed with him. A fierce struggle ensued, 
and both fell, Decatur uppermost. By this time the 
Turk had drawn a dagger from his belt, and was 
about to plunge it into the body of his foe, when 
Decatur caught his arm, and shot him with a pistol, 
which he drew from his pocket. During the time 
they were struggling on the deck, the crews rushed 
to aid their commanders, and a most sanguinary con- 
flict took place, insomuch that when Decatur had 
despatched his adversary, it was with the utmost 
difficulty he could extricate himself from the killed 
and wounded that had fallen around him. 

It is with no common feelings of admiration that 
we record an instance of heroic courage, and loyal 
self-devotion, on the part of a common sailor. 

During the early part of Decatur's struggle with 
the Turk, he was assailed in the rear by one of the 
enemy, who had just aimed a blow at his head which 



RETURNS HOME. 285 

must have proved fatal; at this fearful juncture, a 
noble-hearted tar, who had been so badly wounded as 
to lose the use of his hands, seeing no other means 
of saving his commander, rushed between him and 
the uplifted sabre, and received the blow on his own 
head, which fractured his skull. We love to pause 
and honour great actions in humble life, because 
they speak well for human nature. Men of rank and 
station in society, often do gallant deeds, in a manner, 
from necessity. Their conspicuous station obliges 
them to do so, or their eagerness for glory urges 
them on ; but an act like this we have mentioned, so 
desperate, yet so disinterested, done by an obscure, 
unambitious individual, a poor sailor, can spring from 
nothing but nobleness of soul. We are happy to add 
that this generous fellow survived, and long after re- 
ceived a pension from government. 

Decatur succeeded in getting, with both his prizes, 
to the squadron, and the next day received the highest 
commendation, in a general order, from Commodore 
Preble. When that able officer was superseded in 
the command of the squadron, he gave the Constitu- 
tion to Captain Decatur, who had some time before 
received his commission. From that ship he was re- 
moved to the Congress, and returned home in her, 
when peace was concluded in Tripoli. On his return 
to the United States, he was employed in superin- 
tending gunboats, until the affair of the Chesapeake, 
when he was ordered to supersede Commodore 
Barron in the command of that ship. When the 
United States was again put in commission, he was 
removed from the Chesapeake to that frigate. 

The last war with Great Britain afforded Commo- 



286 CAPTURE OF THE MACEDONIAN. 

dore Decatur another opportunity of adding to the 
laurels which he had already won. On the 25th of 
October, 1812, in latitude 29, N., longitude 29, 30, 
W., he fell in with His Britannic Majesty's ship 
Macedonian, mounting forty-nine carriage guns, (the 
odd gun shifting. ) She was a frigate of the largest 
class, two years old, four months out of dock, and 
reputed one of the best sailers in the British service. 
The action we have already described in our notice 
of Captain Allen, and it is only necessary here to re- 
mark, that after lasting an hour and a half, in conse- 
quence of the enemy being to windward, and having 
the advantage of engaging at his own distance, it ter- 
minated in the capture of the Macedonian. The 
British ship lost her mizenmast, fore and main-top- 
masts, and mainyard, and was much cut up in her 
hull. The damage sustained by the United States 
was not so much as to render her return into port 
necessary, and had Commodore Decatur not deemed 
it important to see his prize in, he would have con- 
tinued the cruise. 

The prize was carried into New York harbour 
and equipped as an American frigate. The whole 
country hailed the name of the gallant victor with 
enthusiastic admiration. Congress and several of the 
State Legislatures voted him costly presents, as testi- 
monials of their high sense of his services. 

In 1813, he attempted to gain the sea from New 
York, with the United States, Macedonian, and 
Hornet, through Long Island Sound ; but a British 
squadron of superior force, compelled him to run into 
the Thames river, in Connecticut, and he lay off New 
London for several months, unable to run to sea. 



IN COMMAND OF THE PRESIDENT. 289 

Impatient of being thus cooped up within sight of 
the ocean, yet unable to reach it, he sent a challenge 
to Sir Thomas M. Hardy, commander of the block- 
ading squadron, otfering to meet two British frigates 
with two of his own. But the oiTer was rejected, 
and the frigates were at length dismantled. Decatur 
returned to New York, took command of a squadron 
for the East Indies, and put to sea in the President, 
January 14th, 1815. By some mistake on the part 
of the pilot, the ship grounded on the bar in going 
out. She struck heavily for an hour and a half, 
greatly injuring her sailing thereby. 

The next morning, Decatur discovered the British 
squadron to be in pursuit, consisting of the INIajestic 
razee, the Endymion, Tenedos and Pomona frigates, 
and a brig. The Endymion was soon perceived to 
be the fastest ship, and, on this fact, the American 
commander projected a plan of escape so bold and 
daring, that if successful, would have raised him to 
the summit of naval renown. He designed to lead 
the Endymion from her companions, board with all 
his crew, destroy or abandon the President, and es- 
cape in his prize. But the enemy suspected the ruse, 
and carefully avoided it, by keeping the advantage of 
his position. Satisfied that he could throw the En- 
dymion out of the combat before the other ships could 
aid her, Decatur tacked about and made battle, 
crippled the enemy, silenced her battery, and then 
pursued his course as before. But by this time the 
other ships had approached, and opened their fire on 
the President. Escape was impossible. To strive 
against the squadron with his single vessel, would 
2 25 



290 CHASTISES THE ALGERIXES. 

have been an unjustifiable risk of the hves of his men. 
Nothing was left, therefore, but to strike colours, and 
surrender to the British commander. 

Soon after this action. Decatur returned to the 
United States, and was immediately despatched to 
the Mediterranean, to chastise the Algerines for their 
ravages upon our commerce, which the war with 
Great Britain had furnished them so favourable an 
opportunity of committing. 

He captured an Algerine frigate bearing forty-nine 
guns, and a brig of twenty-two guns : and on the 22d 
June, 1815, arrived before Algiers, and demanded an 
instant treaty. He demanded that all yearly tribute, 
or ransom, for prisoners, should be relinquished ; that 
all property taken from Americans should be restored 
or paid for ; that all Americans now in slavery should 
be liberated, and none ever again held as slaves. The 
Algerine negotiator demurred on the point of relin- 
quishing tribute, contending that it might be employed 
as a precedent by the powers of Europe, and prove 
destructive to the Dey. " Even a little powder," 
said he, ''might prove satisfactory." "If," replied 
Decatur, " you insist upon receiving powder as tri- 
bute, you must expect to receive balls with it." The 
Algerine government negotiated in forty-eight hours, 
and granted to Americans immunities and privileges 
never before obtained by a Christian power from any 
Barbary State. 

Decatur obtained redress in a similarly summary 
manner at Tunis and Tripoli, and, having thus ful- 
filled his commission, he returned home in the autumn 
of the same year. 



DEATH OF DECATUR. 291 

At a subsequent period he was created Navy 
Commissioner, and made his residence in the city of 
Washington, at Kalorama, formerly occupied by Joel 

Barlow. 

We now approach, with painful emotions, the last 
sad act of Decatur's life, which resulted in an un- 
timely and lamented death. In October 1819, certain 
expressions said to have been used by Commodore 
Decatur, disrespectful to Commodore Barron, led to 
a correspondence between these two officers. The 
keen sarcasm of Decatur heightened the affi'ont, and 
though both parties reprobated duelling, yet this con- 
troversy terminated most unhappily in a duel. The 
meeting took place at Bladensburg, on the morning 
of the 22d of March, 1820. Both were wounded at 
the first fire. The wound of Barron was dangerous 
— that of Decatur, mortal. The unfortunate officer 
was conveyed to his distracted wife, at Washington, 
and died the same evening. An immense concourse, 
consisting of nearly the whole male population of 
Washington and the adjacent country ; most of the 
officers of government, members of Congress, and 
Foreign Ministers resident there, attended his re- 
mains to the grave. 

Decatur was the favourite of the navy. Since the 
heroic epoch of the Revolution, no commander has 
won a more brilliant reputation. In bravery, he had 
no superior; in native intellectual abilities, few equals. 
He was beloved by all who enjoyed the advantage of 
his personal acquaintance, and his popularity with 
those over whom lie was placed in command was uiv 
bounded. After his first grand exploit at Tripoli, no 



292 



CHARACTER. 



success of his valour ever excited surprise. The 
most daring achievements were regarded as matter 
of course wherever he led. "Would to Heaven that 
the gratitude of his countr}-, as evinced towards his 
familv, had been as unmeasured as its confidence in 
himself ! 





THOMAS MACDONOUGH. 




^ HOMAS MAC 
DONOUGH, the 
father of Captain 
Thomas Macdo- 
NOUGH, was an 
eminent physician, 
|who resided at a 
ffarni called The 
;Trapp, in the coun- 
ty of New Castle, 
Delaware. In the year 1775, he entered the army, 
and was appointed a major in a regiment raised by 

25* 293 



294 SERVICES IX THE TRIPOLITAX WAR. 

the State of Delaware, o^ which Mr. John Haslett 
was colonel, and the late Gunning Bedford, lieute- 
nant-colonel. Major ]Macdonough, from what cause 
is not known, retired early from the army, and re- 
turned to the Trapp. After the establishment of our 
independence, he was appointed a judge, and held 
that office till his death, which took place in 1796. 
He left several children, of whom three were sons. 
The oldest. James, was a midshipman, under Com- 
modore Truxtun, when he took the Insurgente, in 
which engagement he received a wound from a mus- 
ket ball, that rendered the amputation of his leg 
necessarv. '' James"" — savs the 2:entlcman who fur- 
nished us with these particulars — '' was very brave. 
He was placed in the tops when he was wounded, 
and he told me that when the men in the tops were 
lowering him down, he could distinctly see the enemy 
aiming and tiring at him.*' The amputation of his 
leg rendered it necessary for him to retire from the 
service. 

After the death of his father, young Macdonough, 
the subject of this memoir, obtained a midshipman's 
warrant. Of the vessels in which he served, the 
time of his promotion to a lieutenancy, and other 
ordinary circumstances of the life of every naval 
officer, we have not allowed ourselves sufficient space 
to give a minute detail. 

He followed the fortunes of our little fleet in the 
wars of Tripoli, and, like other young officers who, 
on that occasion, first met " grim visaged war" face 
to face, was frequently engaged in those conflicts 
where the Christian and Mahometan prowess was 
so severely tried. Though, at this time, grave, re 



INTREPID CONDUCT AT GIBRALTAR. 295 

served and circumspect in a remarkable degree, we 
are told, ho was then remarkable for a daring impe- 
tuosity, an invincible chivalrous sort of perseverance 
in ever}- kind of adventure. In 180G, he was lirst 
lieutenant of the Siren, then lying in Gibraltar har- 
bour, under the late Captain John Smith. A circum- 
stance took place here, which, as it strongly displays 
that lirmness which is the strong feature of his cha- 
racter, we will detail particularly. It is derived from 
the most undoubted authority; and when we consider 
what a vast difference is observable in our feelings 
now and at that time, we cannot help greatly admiring 
the conduct of the young lieutenant. 

During the forenoon of a day, in which Captain 
Smith was on shore, a merchant brig, under the 
colours of the United States, came into port, and 
anchored ahead, and close to the Siren. Soon after, 
a boat was sent from a British frigate then lying in 
the harbour, on board this briir. After remainins: 
alongside a little while, the boat returned with 07ie 
man moi-e tha?i she went with. This circumstance 
attracted the notice of Macdonough. who sent Lieu- 
tenant Page on board the brig to know the particulars 
of the affair. Mr. Page returned with information 
that the man had been impressed by the boat from 
the British frigate, although he had a protection as 
an American citizen. Immediately on the receipt of 
this information, IMacdonough ordered the Siren's 
gig to be manned and putting himself in her, went in 
pursuit of the boat, determined to rescue his country- 
man. He overtook her, alongside the British frigate, 
just as the man at the bow was raising his boathook 
to reach the ship, and took out the American by force, 



296 AFFAIR AT GIBRALTAR. 

although the other boat had eight oars, and his only 
four, and carried him on board of the Siren. 

When the report of this aflfair was made to the 
captain of the British frigate, he came on board the 
Siren in a great rage, and desired to know how Mac- 
donough dared to take a man from one of His Ma- 
jesty's boats. The lieutenant, with great politeness, 
asked him down into the cabin; this he refused, at 
the same time repeating the same demand, with 
abundance of threats. The Englishman threw out 
some threats that he would take the man by force, 
and said he would haul the frigate alongside the 
Siren for that purpose. To this Macdonough re- 
plied, '' he supposed his ship could sink the Siren, 
but, as long as she could swim, he should keep the 
man." The English captain said to Macdonough — 
" You are a very young man, and a very indiscreet 
young man : suppose I had been in the boat — what 
would you have done?" "I would have taken the 
man, or lost my life." " What, sir ! would you at- 
tempt to stop me, if I were now to attempt to impress 
men from that brig?" "I would; and to convince 
yourself I would, you have only to make the attempt." 
On this the Englishman went on board his ship, and 
shortly afterwards was seen, bearing her in a direc- 
tion for the American merchant brig. Macdonough 
ordered his boat manned and armed, got into her 
himself, and was in readiness for pursuit. The 
Englishman took a circuit round the American brig, 
and returned again to the frigate. When Captain 
Smith came on board, he justified the conduct of 
Macdonough, and declared his intention to protect 
the American seaman. 



ADVENTURE IN SYRACUSE. 297 

During the continuance of the Tripohtan war, our 
ships occasionally visited the city of Syaracuse, once 
so famous, but now mouldering away, under that 
wretched system of government which has blasted 
and withered one of the fairest portions of this earth. 

Robberies and assassinations are the nightly amuse- 
ments of Syracusans, and our officers in their evening 
rambles, were frequently assailed by soldiers, or fel- 
lows armed with knives or daggers. Their favourite 
mode of fighting is to blow out the candles, and, in 
that situation, their knives and daggers are the most 
dangerous of all weapons. On one occasion, which 
occurred in Syracuse, Macdonough was attacked by 
three of these desperadoes ; with his back against a 
door, he had the good fortune to wound two, and the 
other took to his heels. He was followed by the 
lieutenant, who pushed him so hard that he climbed 
up to the roof of the barracks, whither Macdonough 
followed him still, and, finding no other means of 
escape, he jumped off, with the loss of his life. 

In the interval between the Tripolitan war and 
that which commenced in 1812, no occasion occurred 
to our naval officers for signalizing themselves, and 
we shall pass silently over this period of Lieutenant 
Macdonough' s life, because it furnishes no incident 
of sufficient importance to be interesting to the 
reader. 

Among the younger officers of the navy who were 
ordered on lake service during the war, was Mac- 
donough. His station v/as Lake Champlain ; and 
here he was destined to perform a service which has 
rendered his name one of the most illustrious in our 
naval annals. 
2P 



298 FORCE ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 

Towards the close of the summer of 1814, it be- 
came apparent that the enemy meditated an important 
movement on the frontiers of New York and Ver- 
mont. Large bodies of troops — veterans who had 
seen service in the Peninsular war — were poured into 
Canada, and it was known that a heavy detachment 
under General Prevost v/ere advancing upon Platts- 
burg. A regular force quite inadequate to resist the 
attack were awaiting it, under the command of 
General Macomb. This able officer made the best 
disposition of his troops which circumstances would 
permit ; and the militia from the neighbouring regions 
were coming in to his support. 

Simultaneously with their operations on land, the 
enemy were preparing for a decisive action on the 
Lake ; and Macdonough put the fleet under his com- 
mand in readiness for receiving him. His force 
consisted of the Saratoga, twenty-six guns; the Eagle, 
twenty guns ; the Ticonderoga, seventeen guns ; the 
Preble, seven guns; and ten galleys, carrying six- 
teen ; — in the whole, eighty-six guns. 

The British force was greater ; the frigate Con- 
fiance, thirty-nine guns; the Linnet, sixteen guns; 
the Finch, eleven guns ; and thirteen gallies, carrying 
eighteen guns ; — in all, ninety-five guns ; nine more 
than were in the American fleet ; their complement 
of men was much greater. The calmness of this 
Lake permitted heavy armaments in comparatively 
light vessels ; and of this circumstance the British 
availed themselves to the utmost, giving their com- 
modore a ship equal in force to the President or the 
Constitution, with which he — being a veteran com- 
mander — made sure of capturing the young officer, 



BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 301 

ranking as lieutenant, who was his opponent in a flag 
ship of twenty-six guns. But " the race is not always 
to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.^' Skill, 
discipline, address, seamanship and coolness go for 
something ; and in this battle they were put in re- 
quisition with admirable effect against superior force, 
and the daring manoeuvre of coming down head on 
upon an enemy's line. 

The assaults of the British were simultaneously 
made by land and water, on the 11th of September. 
At eight o'clock in the morning, the British fleet 
was seen approaching; and, in an hour, the action be- 
came general. It is thus described by Macdonough, 
in his official letter : 

" At nine," he says, " the enemy anchored in a line 
ahead, at about three hundred yards distant from my 
line; his ship opposed to the Saratoga; his brig to 
the Eagle, Captain Robert Henley; his galleys — thir- 
teen in number — to the schooner, sloop and a division 
of our galleys ; one of his sloops assisting their ship 
and brig ; the other assisting their galleys ; our re- 
maining galleys were with the Saratoga and Eagle. 

" In this situation, the whole force on both sides 
became engaged ; the Saratoga suflbring much from 
the heavy fire of the Confiance. I could perceive, at 
the same time, however, that our fire was very de- 
structive to her. The Ticonderoga, Lieutenant com- 
mandant Cassin, gallantly sustained her full share of 
the action. At half past ten, the Eagle, not being 
able to bring her guns to bear, cut her cable, and 
anchored in a more eligible position, between my ship 
and the Ticonderoga, where she very much annoyed 

26 



302 BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 

the enemy, but, unfortunately, leaving me much ex- 
posed to a galling fire from the enemy's brig. 

" Our guns on the starboard side being nearly all 
dismounted or unmanageable, a stern anchor was let 
go, the bower cable cut, and the ship winded, with a 
fresh broadside on the enemy's ship, which soon after 
surrendered. Our broadside was then sprung to 
bear on the sloop, which surrendered about fifteen 
minutes afterwards. The sloop which was opposed 
to the Eagle, had struck some time before, and drifted 
down the line. The sloop that was with their galleys 
had also struck. Our galleys were about obeying 
with alacrity the signal to follow them, when all the 
vessels were reported to me to be in a sinking state. 
It then became necessary to annul the signal to the 
galleys, and order their men to the pumps. I could 
only look at the enemy's galleys going olf in a shat- 
tered condition, for there was not a mast in either 
squadron that could stand to make sail on. The 
lower rigging being nearly shot away, hung down as 
though it had just been placed over the mastheads. 

" The Saratoga had fifty-five round shot in her 
hull ; the Confiance, one hundred and five. The 
enemy's shot passed principally over our heads, as 
there were not twenty whole hammocks in the net- 
tings, at the close of the action, which lasted without 
intermission two hours and twenty minutes. 

*' The absence and sickness of Lieutenant Ray- 
mond Perry left me without the assistance of that 
excellent officer. Much ought fairly to be attributed 
to him for his great care and attention in disciplining 
the ship's crew, as her first lieutenant. His place 



CONSEQUENCES OF THE VICTORY. 303 

was filled by a gallant young officer, Lieutenant Peter 
Gamble ; who, I regret to inform you, was killed 
early in the action." 

The Saratoga was twice set on fire during the 
action, by hot shot from the Confiance ; but the flames 
were soon extinguished. • 

It is well known that the result of this victory was 
the utter disheartening of General Prescott and his 
army, and their instantaneous retreat. So sensible 
were the people of New York and Vermont of the 
fact that the good conduct of Macdonough had saved 
them from the ravages of an invading army, that they, 
by the action of their representatives, made him large 
grants of lands in the neighbourhood of the Lake. 
The cities of New York and Albany followed the 
example. He was promoted to the rank of post 
captain, and received from Congress a gold medal, in 
commemoration of the victory. 

" From the close of the war to the time of his de- 
cease, he shared the honours of the home and foreign 
service with his compeers. He was an excellent 
member of courts martial, for he brought to those 
tribunals a candid mind, ever ready to find matters 
that made in favour of the accused as well as against 
him. We have an opportunity of speaking from an 
intimate acquaintance with the fact, that on several 
courts martial, the accused have congratulated them- 
selves, that all that was brought against them was to 
be considered by such a mind as Macdonough's ; at 
the same time, they were not wanting in justice to 
other honourable members. 

" For several years before his death, he made his 
home in Middleton, Connecticut, where he had mar- 



304 



CHARACTER OF MACDONOUGH. 



ried Miss Shaler, a lady of a highly respectable family 
in that place. He died of a consumption, on the 
tenth day of November, 1825. His wife had paid 
the debt of nature a few months before him. 

" In person, Macdonough was tall, dignified, and 
commanding. His features were pleasing; his com- 
plexion, hair and eyes were light ; but there was such 
a firmness and steadfastness in his look as to take 
away all appearance of the want of masculine energy, 
which is often attached to the idea of a delicate com- 
plexion. The great charm of his character was the 
refinement of his taste, the purity of his principles, 
and the sincerity of his religion ; these gave a pQrfume 
to his name, which the partial page of history seldom 
can retain for departed warriors, however brilliant 
their deeds."* 

* Portrait Gallery. 








.^^ 




JAMES BIDDLE. 




i^'J^HIS gallant and accomplished 
officer is the son of Charles 
Biddle, Esq., of Philadelphia, 
and was born on the 18th of 
February, 1 783. He was edu- 
cated at the University of 
Pennsylvania, where he made great progress in clas- 
sical studies, and acquired a taste for literature, which, 
in the intervals of professional duty, he has since 
assiduously cultivated. 

In the year 1800, the navy of the United States 
offered the most brilliant prospects to the aspiring 
youth of our country. It had acquired fame in the 
war with France, and, under the favour of the govern- 
ment, was rapidly increasing. The success of Cap- 
tain Truxtun in his actions with the French frigates 
Insurgente and Vengeance, had conferred glory upon 
himself and given new eclat to the navy. To this 
distinguished commander, Mr. Charles Biddle en- 
trusted the care of his two sons, James and Edward. 
On quitting the University, they obtained midship- 
2 26* 305 



306 SERVICE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 

men's warrants ; were attached to the frigate Presi- 
dent, then fitting at New York, and sailed for the 
West Indies, in the month of September, 1800. In 
consequence of the cessation of hostilities with 
France, their cruise was of short duration, nor did it 
afford any opportunity for an engagement. It was 
rendered fatally memorable, however, to the subject 
of this memoir and to his family, by the melancholy 
loss of Mr. Edward Biddle, who died at sea of a 
fever, after a short illness. The extraordinary genius 
and acquirements of this young gentleman, had given 
him an exalted name among his cotemporaries. To 
his friends he was endeared by the possession of the 
most amiable and attractive qualities, the kindest 
feelings, and the warmest sensibility, united with the 
utmost fearlessness of character, and a disposition the 
most generous, frank, and high-minded. 

On the return of the President to the United States, 
1801, the navy was reduced to a small peace establish- 
ment, in which Mr. Biddle was retained as a mid- 
shipman. Early in 1802, he sailed to the Mediter- 
ranean in the frigate Constellation, Captain Murray. 
The object of our squadron in that sea was to protect 
American vessels chiefly against Tripoline cruisers. 
In performing this service, the Constellation visited 
a great variety of places. The islands and shores of 
the Mediterranean present many interesting remains 
of antiquity, and Mr. Biddle, availing himself of all 
his opportunities of observing them, was frequently 
enabled to indulge the enthusiasm of a scholar when 
he treads upon classic ground. 

As the seamen in the United States service were 
at that time enlisted for one year only, the cruises of 



SURRENDER OF THE PHILADELPHIA. 307 

our public vessels were rarely protracted beyond that 
period. The Constellation, therefore, returned home 
in the spring of 1803, was dismantled and laid up at 
Washington. Mr. Biddle was transferred to the 
frigate Philadelphia, Captain Bainbridge, and sailed 
again for the Mediterranean in July, 1803. The 
fate of this unfortunate ship is well remembered. On 
the 31st October, 1803, off the coast of Tripoh, she 
struck upon a rock not laid down in any charts ex- 
tant, and unknown to any of our vessels which had 
previously frequented that coast. After every effort 
to get her afloat had failed, and all resistance to the 
enemy's gunboats had become unavailing, the colours 
of the Philadelphia were hauled down, and Mr. Por- 
ter, the first lieutenant, and Midshipman Biddle were 
despatched to inform of their surrender. As they 
approached the Tripoline gunboats they were hailed 
and ordered by each one to his own vessel. One of 
them fired a shot at the American boat, and Lieute- 
nant Porter, inferring that he who fired was the 
commanding officer, rowed towards him, though his 
gunboat was at a greater distance. The nearer gun- 
boats finding the American barge passing them, 
manned their boats to take possession of her. As 
they were coming alongside, Lieutenant Porter and 
Mr. Biddle were prepared to deliver up their swords, 
but this ceremony was dispensed with. Nearly 
twenty men of ferocious appearance, armed with 
sabres, pistols, and muskets, jumped into the boat, 
and at once commenced their work of insult and of 
plunder. Two of them snatched Mr. Biddle's sword, 
pulled off his coat, and began to fight for it, until at 
length, probably to decide their dispute, they returned 



308 CAPTIVITY. 

it to him. His cravats were violently torn from his 
neck, his waistcoat and shirt opened, and his breast 
exposed, for the purpose, as he very naturally in- 
ferred, of perpetrating their horrid vengeance ; tliough 
their intention, it appeared, was only to search for 
valuables that might be concealed about his person. 
They searched all his pockets, and took all his papers 
and money, except twenty dollars in gold, which he 
had slipped into his boots and thereby secured. The 
officers and crew of the boat were then carried on 
shore, conducted amidst the shouts and acclamations 
of a barbarous rabble to the palace gates, and ushered 
into .the presence of the bashaw, who, seated in state, 
and surrounded by his ministers and his guards, was 
ready to receive them in the audience chamber. He 
asked a variety of questions, principally about the 
ship and the American squadron. In this situation, 
ignorant of the fate of their companions, and doubtful 
of their own, they continued a considerable time, 
until at length the remaining officers and crew, after 
being plundered and stripped of almost all their 
clothes, were hurried in a tumultuous manner from the 
ship, and having been inspected by the bashaw, were 
conducted to the place assigned for their safe-keeping. 
There is scarcely any subject which the imagina- 
tion can present to us more full of horror than that 
of slavery among the barbarians of Africa. Such 
was the impression of the prisoners themselves, as 
well as of their countrymen. It will readily be be- 
lieved, therefore, that no event ever excited more 
feeling in this country, than the loss of the frigate 
Philadelphia, and the captivity of her ofTicers and 
crew. Their story has been frequently told, and 



CAPTIVITY. 309 

although no violence was offered to their persons, 
yet a close and rigorous confinement, the want of 
air, of exercise, and of employment — perpetual un- 
certainty in regard to their fate, and occasional 
threats by the bashaw of his vengeance, were circum- 
stances calculated to impair the health and break the 
spirits of the strongest and most resolute. Yet they 
preserved their health and their spirits unbroken. 
Happily the officers were confined together, and, 
being strongly attached to their commander and to 
each other, they lived in the greatest harmony and 
mutual confidence. It was a point of honour to be 
firm and cheerful, to disregard the threats of the 
barbarians, and to sustain by an unconquerable forti- 
tude the character of their country. The solicitude 
of Mr. Biddle's family induced them to take some 
steps for his private ransom, but he discountenanced 
these attempts, and declared that until his country 
should wholly abandon them, he would share the 
fortunes of his fellow prisoners. His opinion uni- 
formly was that their release might and ought to be 
obtained by a proper exertion of the force of the 
United States. Among the circumstances which 
alleviated the condition of the prisoners, it would be 
unjust to omit the kind and unremitted attentions of 
the Danish consul, Mr. Nissen, rendered at all times, 
in every practicable way, and often at a^'very great per- 
sonal hazard. To Sir Alexander Ball, the British 
governor of Malta, Mr. Biddle had delivered letters 
of personal introduction, and, during his confinement, 
that gallant officer and amiable man was very atten- 
tive to him. He maintained a friendly correspond- 
ence with Mr. Biddle, interested the British consul 



310 GUNBOAT SERVICE. 

at Tripoli in his behalf, and furnished him with 
occasional supplies from Malta that were highly- 
acceptable. 

After a confinement of more than nineteen months, 
the prisoners obtained their liberation in consequence 
of the peace with Tripoli, and in the month of Sep- 
tember, 1805, Captain Bainbridge and Mr. Biddle, 
who had not separated since the loss of the frigate, 
returned together to Philadelphia. They had arrived 
at Hampton Roads and travelled northward by land, 
and such was the public sympathy towards Captain 
Bainbridge and his officers, united with the opinion 
entertained of their good conduct, that they were re- 
ceived every where on their route with the greatest 
marks of distinction. 

A court of inquiry, which had been previously held 
in the Mediterranean, completely justified the sur- 
render of the ship ; nor is, indeed, any thing further 
now necessary to satisfy the country that its flag was 
not weakly defended on that occasion, than to repeat 
the names of Bainbridge and Porter and Jones and 
Biddle, who were among the officers of the Phila- 
delphia. 

Upon his release from captivity, Mr. Biddle was 
promoted to a lieutenancy, and after remaining at 
home but a few weeks, he was ordered to the com- 
mand of one of the gunboats, then lying at Charleston. 
He cruised for some time on the southern coast, 
which had been infested by privateers, in company 
with the frigate Adams, and afterwards in company 
with the brig Hornet; he was also employed by order 
of the navy department in making a survey of the 
harbour of Beaufort, South Carolina. The principal 



GUNBOAT SERVICE. 311 

rendezvous was the port of Charleston. Here Lieu- 
tenant Biddle received, besides the usual hospitality 
of the place, the most distinguished civilities as the 
nephew of Captain Nicholas Biddle, who had been 
extensively known and highly respected there during 
the Revolutionary war, and whose last expedition 
had been fitted out at that port. 

He remained on this station during the winter of 
1805-6, and until the month of June; when, finding 
the gunboat service very inactive and irksome, he 
obtained a furlough and proceeded to Philadelphia. 
Here he continued until the following spring; when 
he made a voyage to China as first officer of a mer- 
chant ship. While absent on this voyage, the em- 
bargo law was passed, and immediately on his return 
he was placed under the command of Commodore 
Murray, in the Delaware flotilla, employed to enforce 
the embargo. The gunboat service was almost the 
only one in which our officers could find employment 
at that period, the Chesapeake being the only frigate 
in commission. But in January, 1809, Congress 
authorised the equipment of several of the frigates, 
and Captain Bainbridge being appointed to command 
the President, selected Mr. Biddle as his second 
lieutenant. When Captain Bainbridge, in May, 
1810, obtained a furlough and relinquished the com- 
mand of the President, Lieutenant Biddle was directed 
to take charge of the Syren sloop of war, whose 
commander was sick on shore, and carry her from 
Philadelphia to Hampton Roads ; he there quitted 
the Syren on the recovery of her captain, and joined 
the Constitution frigate. Captain Hull. At this time 
the minds of our naval officers were strongly excited 



312 PRESENTED TO NAPOLEOTST. 

against the British, in consequence of the attack on 
the frigate Chesapeake, and other subsequents events 
of an irritating nature. A British frigate had been 
cruising off the capes of Virginia, and, as it was 
known that the President was about to put to sea, 
and the impression very generally among the officers 
was, that in case of meeting a British frigate a battle 
would take place. Lieutenant Biddle applied to Com- 
modore Rodgers to be ordered to the President, 
which was then short of her complement of lieute- 
nants. He accordingly went on board that ship, 
which sailed in a day or two after, but did not meet 
any British cruiser. The President being laid up at 
New London for the winter^ Lieutenant Biddle left 
her, and soon after made a voyage to Lisbon. In 
December, 1811, he sailed as bearer of despatches 
from our government to the American minister in 
France, and remained in Paris nearly four months, 
during which he was presented to the Emperor 
Napoleon, and attended all the parties given at the 
Thuileries. 

In these active and diversified scenes, many oppor- 
tunities occurred, both on public duty and in private 
life, to display a character of firmness and decision, 
jealous of personal honour, and aspiring to deeds of 
enterprise and of fame. 

Very soon after his return from France, the war 
took place between the United States and Great 
Britain. When the news of its declaration reached 
Philadelphia, Lieutenant Biddle was not attached 
to any vessel, and being extremely anxious to avail 
himself of the first chance of service, he repaired 
immediately to New York, in order to volunteer his 



AKRIVAL OF THE WASP. 313 

services to Commodore Rodgers, who then com- 
manded the frigate President. On his arrival, he 
found, to his extreme disappointment, that the Presi- 
dent had sailed but a few hours before, and in com- 
pany with all the vessels of the squadron, except the 
frigate Essex, which was then not quite in readiness 
for sea. To Captain Porter, Lieutenant Biddle next 
applied to be received on board the Essex, and this 
gallant officer readily accepted his services. But, 
unfortunately for Lieutenant Biddle, he was superior 
in rank to all the lieutenants of the Essex, who were 
very naturally unwilling to receive an officer by whom 
they would be outranked. To their representations on 
the subject. Captain Porter could not, from motives 
of justice as well as delicacy towards his officers, be 
indifferent, and Lieutenant Biddle saw the Essex 
put to sea without his being able to share in the 
dangers and glory of her cruise. 

Disappointed in his most ardent wishes at the 
moment when he expected to realise them, he now 
hastened to the city of Washington and solicited 
employment. But there being no public vessels in 
commission within the United States, he then re- 
quested from the Secretary an order to join one of 
the frigates on their return into port : but all of them 
had their full complement of officers. Pie therefore 
returned to Philadelphia, mortified at the failure of 
all his efforts to get to sea. From this despondency 
he was relieved by the arrival, in the Delaware, of 
the sloop of war Wasp, Captain Jones, with de- 
spatches from France. This vessel had not her full 
complement of officers, and Lieutenant Biddle im- 
2R 27 



314 CAPTURE OF THE FROLIC. 

mediately procured an order to join her as first 
lieutenant. 

The Wasp went to sea on the 13th of October, 
1812, and on the 18th fell in with and captured the 
British sloop of war Frolic. As we have given a 
full account of this action, in the life of Commodore 
Jones, we must refer the reader to page 191, where 
he will notice the details of the act-ion, and the con- 
spicuous part taken in it by Lieutenant Biddle, who 
was ordered to take charge of the prize. 

Soon after the action the two vessels separated, 
and, in a few minutes more, the Frolic's mainmast 
and foremast went by the board ; her bowsprit had 
been carried away by running foul. Lieutenant 
Biddle was ordered by Captain Jones to rig jury- 
masts, and make his way, with the prize, to a southern 
port of the United States. Unfortunately, however, 
a large ship hove in sight, to windward, which proved 
to be the Poictiers, a British seventy-four, and as the 
Frolic was totally dismasted, and the Wasp so dis- 
abled in her rigging, and in her sails, as to be in- 
capable of escaping immediately, both vessels were 
taken by the Poictiers. Captain Jones and his 
officers were carried to Bermuda, and after a short 
detention there, were released upon their parole, and 
returned to the United States. 

It is difficult to describe the exultation produced 
in this country, by a victory so decisive over a British 
vessel of superior force. Public honours were libe- 
rally, and most justly awarded to Captain Jones. 
Of the part borne in this memorable action by Lieu- 
tenant Biddle, it is only necessary to add the follow- 



REWARDS OF VALOUR. 315 

mg extract from the official letter of Captain Jones. 
" Lieutenant Biddle's active conduct contributed 
much to our success, by the exact attention paid to 
every department during the engagement, and the 
animating example he afforded the crew by his in- 
trepidity." 

The legislature of his native state, voted Lieutenant 
Biddle a sword, and the thanks of the Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania, for his distinguished gallantry and 
skill. By a resolution of the legislature of Maryland, 
the governor of that state was requested to address 
letters to Captain Jones and Lieutenant Biddle, ex- 
pressive of the very high sense entertained of their 
conduct and services, in the capture of the British 
sloop of war Frolic, of superior force. The Penn- 
sylvania Society of Cincinnati, elected Lieutenant 
Biddle an honorary member of their body. A testi- 
monial still more interesting to the feelings of Lieu- 
tenant Biddle, was offered to him by a number of 
highly respectable gentleman of Philadelphia. In a 
letter, addressed to him by their committee, they 
observe, 

" Whilst your country confers upon you those dis- 
tinguished marks of approbation, which are ever due 
to merit and to valour, a number of the personal 
friends and companions of your youth, are desirous 
of attesting to you their esteem, and of perpetuating 
the remembrance of your private worth. With this 
view, they have directed us, as their committee, to 
present to you, in their name, a silver urn, bearing 
upon it an appropriate inscription, and a representa- 
tion of the action between the Wasp and the Frolic, 



316 IN COMMAND OF THE HORNET. 

in which you so conspicuously assisted to exalt the 
naval character of our country." 

Congress voted a gold medal to Captain Jones, 
and a silver medal to each of the commissioned 
officers of the Wasp, and gave twenty-five thousand 
dollars to the officers and crew, for the capture of 
the Frolic. 

Upon his exchange, Lieutenant Biddle was pro- 
moted to the rank of master-commandant, and re- 
ceived the command of the gunboats, stationed to 
protect the bay of Delaware from the incursions of 
the British. But, before the whole flotilla was 
completed, an opportunity of a more active command 
was offered by the return into port of the Hornet 
sloop of war. Captain Lawrence, in consequence 
of his promotion, having quitted her to command a 
frigate, Captain Biddle applied for, and obtained the 
command of the Hornet, then lying at New York, 
His orders were to join the frigate Chesapeake, then 
at Boston, and nearly ready for a cruise. These 
vessels were to meet at sea, and cruise together, for 
the purpose of intercepting the naval and military 
stores of the enemy, coming from England, and also 
their trade to the St. Lawrence. By the capture of 
the Chesapeake, the enemy became possessed of all 
the signals, and the instructions from the navy de- 
partment, in consequence of which a frigate and 
several other vessels were despatched in pursuit of 
the Hornet. Previously to this, however, as soon 
as the Hornet was ready for sea. Captain Biddle 
sailed in company with the frigates United States 
and Macedonian from New York, through the sound, 



BLOCKADE OF NEW LONDON. 317 

tiiere being a large British force then off Sandy 
Hook. On the first of June, they were met off the east 
end of Long Island by a superior force of the enemy, 
and chased into New London. The Hornet being 
very deep was nearly overtaken, and was obliged to 
start her water, in order to lighten. Our ships pro- 
ceeded up the river ; were moored across it to defend 
themselves, and remained unmolested by the enemy. 
They continued, however, to blockade the mouth of 
the river, and a very long and tedious confinement of 
our little squadron was the consequence. This state 
of inactivity was peculiarly irksome and vexatious to 
Captain Biddle, who being now, for the first time, in 
command of a ship, was extremely anxious to measure 
his strength with an enemy upon equal terms. Be- 
lieving that, with his small vessel alone, he could 
elude the blockading squadron, he solicited permis- 
sion to make the attempt a very few weeks after being 
chased into New London ; but the views of the 
government for the employment of the ships did not 
accord with his wishes. 

It could not be expected that two hostile squad- 
rons should remain long in sight of each other, 
without some eflfort to produce an encounter, and, 
although our officers do not always think themselves 
justifiable in sending challenges, yet there is no 
scruple in accepting them. Early in January, 1814, 
the British force off New London consisted of the 
Ramilies, seventy-four. Commodore Sir Thomas 
Hardy ; the Endymion frigate, Captain Hope ; and 
the Statira frigate, Captain Stackpole. A conversa- 
tion took place among these officers, in presence of 
an American prisoner of war, who was about to be 

27* 



318 THE CHALLENGE. 

landed at New London, which was considered as an 
overture to a meeting between the two British frigates 
and the American frigates. The conversation was 
communicated by the prisoner to our officers, who 
readily embraced the opportunity. Captain Biddle 
was the negotiator on the occasion, and had an inter- 
view with Sir Thomas Hardy, on board the Ramihes. 
Sir Thomas, after taking a day to consider of it, 
declined the meeting ; because the Endymion's force 
was inferior to that of the United States ; but offered 
to permit the Statira to meet the Macedonian ; which 
Commodore Decatur, for reasons stated in his answer, 
would not allow. Captain Biddle had volunteered 
his services to Commodore Decatur, to serve in either 
of the ships, and, in case of a meeting, would have 
been on board one of them. 

In his first visit to Sir Thomas Hardy, on the sub- 
ject of the challenge, Captain Biddle, being desirous 
that the Hornet might be brought into the combat, 
made many inquiries respecting the Loup Ccrvier 
sloop of war, (formerly the United States' ship 
Wasp,) which was daily expected to join the British 
squadron ; when Sir Thomas at length said to him, 
"■ I suppose you want a fight with the Loup Ccrvier." 
This remark gave Captain Biddle the opportunity 
which he was seeking of expressing his wishes, and 
he urged very strongly the importance to the navy 
of both countries of having a fair, equal challenge fight 
between two such vessels. On the arrival of the 
Loup Cervier off New London, Captain Biddle re- 
ceived a communication from Captain Mends, her 
commander, stating that he also was desirous of 
meeting the Hornet, provided the commanding officers 



THE CHALLENGE. 319 

oi" the two squadrons would permit it ; and that if 
Captain Biddle would inform him of the number of 
souls he commanded, Captain Mends pledged his 
honour to limit his number to the same. Commodore 
Decatur would not permit Captain Biddle to acquaint 
Captain Mends with the number of his crew, and 
meet him on the terms stated, because it was under- 
stood, that in that case the Loup Cervier would have 
a picked crew from the British squadron, and Com- 
modore Decatur would not allow such a selection to 
be made from his ships ; nor would he suffer Captain 
Biddle to write to Captain Mends, in order to ascer- 
tain the number of his men, and offer to reduce the 
crew of the Hornet, if larger, to that number ; because 
the government having fixed the complement of men 
to be allowed to the Hornet, he would not be justified 
in permitting a reduction. Captain Biddle, in his 
answer, after assuring Captain Mends, that in having 
expressed a wish to meet the ship under his com- 
mand, he was not in the slightest degree influenced 
by any feeling of personal hostility towards him, then 
states, "I have submitted your communication to the 
perusal of Commodore Decatur. Commodore De- 
catur feels unauthorised to permit that the crew of 
this ship should be strengthened by a selection from 
any other ship under his command, since, by so per- 
mitting, he may be disabled from complying with the 
orders of his government. He is unwilling that an 
advantage denied to this ship, should be allowed to 
the Loup Cervier. I have the pleasure, however, to 
acquaint you, that I am authorised to communicate 
to you, that Commodore Decatur has given his per- 
mission, that this ship shall meet the Loup Cervier, 



320 BLOCKADE OF 3NEW LONDON. 

under a mutual and satisfactory pledge that neitlier 
ship receive any additional officers or men, but 
shall go into action with their original crews respec- 
tively. This ship mounts twenty guns; the Loup 
Cervicr, at the time of her capture, mounted eighteen 
guns ; if the armament of the Loup Cervier is still 
the same, I will take off two guns, and thus place the 
two ships on an equality. These terms, I trust, will 
be acceptable to you." Captain Biddle and his 
officers of course expected a meeting ; but the day 
after his letter was delivered to Captain Mends, the 
Loup Cervier went to sea, and did not again return 
to her station before New London. 

The enemy continued throughout the winter a close 
blockade of New London, and always with a force 
superior to that of our squadron. When the blus- 
tering weather, and the season most favourable for 
escaping had passed away, the government ordered 
the two frigates to be moved as high up the river as 
practicable, and, after being dismantled, their officers 
and crews were transferred to other stations, while 
Captain Biddle was directed to continue at New 
London for the protection of the frigates. Although 
this service was deemed important by the govern- 
ment, yet to Captain Biddle it presented a dreary 
prospect ; he had languished nineteen months in the 
prison of Tripoli, while his brother officers were 
acquiring fame, in the active service of their country, 
and his present inactive situation appeared equally 
hopeless and mortifying ; he remonstrated, though in 
vain, against the arrangement. The demonstration 
of attacking New London and the frigates up the 
river, which was made about this period, by a very 



SAILING OF THE HORN«ET. 331 

formidable British force, rendered it, indeed, impru- 
dent to withdraw the protection of the Hornet. No 
attempt, however, was made by the enemy, though 
such preparations were made to receive him as to 
give every hope of his discomfiture. 

When the season which was favourable for the 
operations of the enemy against the ships in the river 
had passed, and as soon as Captain Biddlc thought g 
that the protection of the Hornet was unnecessary 
to their safety, he again applied for permission to 
leave New London and proceed to New York. 
This was granted; he immediately placed the Hornet 
in the best trim for sailing, passed the British squadron 
in the night of the 18th of November, undiscovered, 
and arrived at New York, after having continued in 
New London river upwards of seventeen months. 

On the arrival of the Hornet at New York, she 
was attached to the command of Commodore De- 
catur, destined for a cruise to the East Indies. The 
frigate President, Commodore Decatur, went to sea 
on the 14th January, 1815, leaving the sloops of war 
Peacock and Hornet behind to bring out the store 
vessel, which was not then in readiness. As soon as 
she was ready, they all went to sea in a gale of wind 
on the 2od January. Three days after, the Hornet 
separated in chase of a vessel which proved to be a 
Portuguese brig, and then proceeded singly towards 
the island of Tristan d'Acunha, which was the first 
place of rendezvous for the squadron. On the pas- 
sage she chased and boarded every vessel that came 
in sight. They were only four in all, and all of them 
neutrals. On the morning of the 23d of March, 
when about to anchor oif the north end of that island, 
2S 



322 BATTLE WITH THE PENGUIN. 

a sail was descried to tlue southward and eastward. 
As she was steering to the westward with a fine 
breeze from the S. S. W., she in a few minutes 
could not be seen for the land. The Hornet made 
sail to the eastward immediately, and, after clearing 
the island and again gaining sight of her, perceived 
her bear up before the wind. Captain Biddle short- 
^ened sail and hove to for her to come down. When 
she had come down and began to shorten sail, she 
took in her steering sails in a very clumsy manner, 
purposely, as it afterwards appeared, to deceive the 
Hornet. She also came down stem on as nearly as 
possible, lest, as the officers afterwards stated, the 
Hornet should perceive her broadside and run. la 
coming down in this manner, she seemed to steer 
rather towards the Hornet's stern, so that Captain 
Biddle thought her intention was to pass under his 
stern, giving him a raking broadside, and, hauling 
her wind, engage him to leeward, to prevent which 
the Hornet wore ship three times. " At forty minutes 
past one, P. M.," says Captain Biddle's official letter, 
" being nearly within musket shot distance, she hauled 
her wind on the starboard tack, hoisted English 
colours, and fired a gun. We immediately luffed to, 
hoisted our ensign, and gave the enemy a broadside. 
The action being thus commenced, a quick and well- 
directed fire was kept up from this ship, the enemy 
gradually drifting nearer to us, when at fifty-five 
minutes past one he bore up apparently to run us on 
board. As soon as I perceived he would certainly 
fall on board, I called the boarders so as to be ready 
to repel any attempt to board us. At the instant 
every officer and man repaired to the quarter-deck, 




■Iffli llpl 



SURRENDER OF THE PENGUIN. 325 

where the two vessels were coming in contact, and 
eagerly pressed me to permit them to board the 
enemy; but this I would not permit, as it was evident 
from the commencement of the action that our fire 
was greatly superior both in quickness and in effect. 
The enemy's bowsprit came in between our main and 
mizzen-rigging, on our starboard side, affording him 
an opportunity to board us, if such was his design 
but no attempt was made. There was a considerable 
swell, and as the sea lifted us ahead, the enemy's 
bowsprit carried away our mizzen-shrouds, stern- 
davits, and spankerboom, and he hung upon our lar- 
board quarter. At this moment, an officer, who was 
afterwards recognised to be Mr. M'Donald, the first 
lieutenant, and the then commanding officer, called 
out that they had surrendered. I directed the marines 
and musketry men to cease firing, and, while on the 
tafferel, asking if they had surrendered, I received a 
wound in the neck. The enemy just then got clear 
of us, and his foremast and bowsprit being both gone, 
and perceiving us wearing to give him a fresh broad- 
side, he again called out that he had surrendered. It 
was with difficulty I could restrain my crew from 
firing into him again, as he had certainly fired into 
us after having surrendered. From the firing of the 
first gun, to the last time the enemy cried out he had 
surrendered, was exactly twenty-two minutes by the 
watch. She proved to be his Britannic majesty's 
brig Penguin, mounting sixteen thirty-two pound 
carronades, two long twelves, a twelve pound car- 
ronade on the top-gallant forecastle, with swivels on 
the capstern and in the tops. She had a spare port 
forward, so as to fight both her long guns of a side. 

28- 



326 FORCE AJ^D LOSS OF PENGUIN. 

She sailed from England in September last. She 
■\vas shorter upon deck than this ship by two feet, but 
she had a greater length of keel, greater breadth of 
beam, thicker sides, and higher bulwarks than this 
ship, and was in all respects a remarkably fine vessel 
of her class. The enemy acknowledge a complement 
of one hundred and thirty-two men, twelve of them 
supernumerary marines from the INIedway seventy- 
four, received on board in consequence of their being 
ordered to cruise for the American privateer Young 
Wasp. They acknowledge also a loss of fourteen 
killed and twent3'-cight wounded ; but ]\Ir. Mayo, 
who was in charge of the prize, assures me that the 
number of killed was certainly greater." 

Among the killed of the Penguin was Captain 
Dickenson, her commander, who is represented to 
have been a deserving and favourite ofticer. Not a 
single round-shot ptruck the hull of the Hornet, but 
her sides were filled with grape, and her sails and 
rigging much cut. The Hornet had but one man 
killed, and eleven wounded. Among the wounded 
were Captain Biddle severely^, and Mr. Conner, the 
first lieutenant, dangerously. 

It is always gratifying to notice the attachment of 
our brave tars to their commanders. Captain Biddle, 
in the early part of the action, had his face much dis- 
figured by being struck twice with splinters, and, when 
he received the wound in the neck, from which the 
blood flowed profusely, the most anxious concern 
for him was evinced by the crew, two of whom took 
him in their arms to carry him below. He could 
scarcely disengage himself from them, and finding that 
he would not leave the deck, one of them stripped 



CAPTAIN BIDDLE WOUNDED. 327 

off his shirt and tied it tightly about Captain Biddle's 
neck, so as to prevent his bleeding. Captain Biddle 
would not have his own wound dressed until after all 
his men had theirs dressed. 

We cannot omit a circumstance which marks a 
striking and characteristic diflerence between the 
seamen of the two countries. In conversation with 
Lieutenant M'Donald, the surviving officer of the 
Penguin, he mentioned that soon after the commence- 
ment of the action, Captain Dickenson remarked to 
him, " this fellow hits us every time, we can't stand 
his fire ; we must run him on board ;" at that instant 
Captain Dickenson received a grape-shot in his 
breast, which icrminated his life in a few minutes. 
The command devolving upon Mr. M'Donald, he said 
he gave orders to board, but that his men would not 
follow him ; while the seamen of the Hornet were 
anxious and eager to board the enemy, but were pre- 
vented by their commander. 

It has been stated that Captain Biddle was wounded 
after the enemy had suiTcndered. He was standing 
upon the tafferel, and had ordered the musketry not 
to fire, when one of his officers called out to him that 
there was a man taking aim at him. Captain Biddle 
did not hear this, as his back was towards the 
officer ; but two of the marines perceiving the fellow 
taking aim at Captain Biddle fired at him, and he 
fell dead the instant after he had discharged his piece. 
He was not more than ten or twelve yards from 
Captain Biddle when he shot him; the ball struck 
the chin directly in front with much force, and pass- 
ing along the neck, tearing the flesh, went off behind 
through his cravat, waistcoat and coat collar. 



328 ENCOUNTE"RS A SHIP OF THE LINE. 

The Penguin being completely riddled, her fore- 
mast and bowsprit gone, and her mainmast so crippled 
as to be incapable of being secured, and Captain 
Biddle being unwilling to return into port with his 
prize, or to spare officers to man her, he resolved to 
destroy her, aiid she was accordingly scuttled. A 
few days after the action he was joined by the Pea- 
cock and the storeship. The Hornet had sustained 
so little injury in the action, that Captain Biddle, 
having bent a new set of sails, and knotted and 
secured his rigging, was completely ready for further 
service. Captains Warrington and Biddle having 
waited the time prescribed, without the arrival of 
Commodore Decatur, the Tom Bowling, storeship, 
was converted into a cartel to carry the British 
prisoners to St. Salvador, and the Peacock and 
Hornet sailed on the 12th April, bound round the 
Cape of Good Hope. On the 27th April, early in 
the morning, in latitude 38, 30, S., and longitude 33, 
E., they discovered a strange sail, to which they 
gave chase. As it was part of the time calm, and 
during the other part the wind was quite light, they 
did not approach the chase until the afternoon of the 
following day. "At forty-five minutes past two, P. 
M.," says Captain Biddle's official letter, " the Pea- 
cock was about six miles ahead of this ship, and 
observing that she appeared to be suspicious of the 
chase, I took in starboard steering-sails, and hauled 
up for the Peacock. At twenty-two minutes past 
three, P. M., the Peacock made the signal, that the 
chase was a ship of the line, and an enemy. I im- 
mediately took in all steering sails and hauled upon 
a wind, the enemy then upon our lee quarter, distant 



THE CHASE. 329 

about eight miles. At nine, P. M., as he was gaining 
upon us, and there was every appearance that he 
would be enabled to keep sight of us during the night, 
I considered it necessary to lighten the ship. I 
therefore threw overboard twelve tons of kentledge, 
part of our shot, and some of our heavy spars ; cut 
away the sheet anchor and cable, and started the 
wedges of the masts. At two, A. M., the enemy 
being rather before our lee beam, I tacked to the 
westward ; he also tacked and continued in chase of 
us. At daylight, on the 29th, he was within gunshot 
upon our lee quarter. At seven, A. M., having 
hoisted English colours, and a rear-admiral's flag, he 
commenced firing from his bow guns. As his shot 
went over us, I cut away the remaining anchor and 
cable, threw overboard the launch, six of our guns, 
more of our shot, and every heavy article that was at 
hand. The enemy fired about thirty shot, not one 
of which took effect, though most of them passed 
over us. While he was firing, I had the satisfaction 
to perceive that we slowly dropped him, and at nine, 
A. M., he ceased his fire. At eleven, A. M., the 
enemy was again coming up with us. I now, there- 
fore, threw overboard all our remaining guns, but 
one long gun, nearly all our shot, all our spare spars, 
cut away the top-gallant forecastle, and cleared every 
thing off deck, as well as from below, to lighten as 
much as possible. At noon, the enemy again com- 
menced firing; he fired many shot, only three of 
which came on board, two striking the hull, and one 
passing through the jib. It is, however, extraordi- 
nary that every shot did not take effect; for the 
enemy, the second time he commenced firing, was 
2T 28* 



330 ESCAPE OF THE HORNET. 

certainly within three quarters of a mile o£ this ship, 
and the sea quite smooth. I perceived from his sails 
that the effect of his fire was to deaden his wind, and 
at two, P. M., he again ceased firing. At thirty 
minutes past two, P. M., the wind, which had pre- 
viously — and greatly to our disadvantage — backed to 
the southeast, hauled to the westward, and freshened 
up. At sundown, the enemy was about four miles 
astern ; the wind was fresh, and we went at the rate 
of nine knots throughout the night, and at daylight, 
on the 30th, he was about twelve miles astern, still in 
chase of us. At thirty minutes past nine, A. M., he 
took in steering-sails, reefed his topsails and hauled to 
the eastward, and at eleven, A. M., he was entirely 
out of sight. During the chase, the enemy appeared 
to be very crank, and I therefore concluded he must 
have lightened while in chase of us. I did not at 
any time fire our stern-chasers, because it was mani- 
fest that the enemy injured his sailing by firing." 

During this long and anxious chase, Captain Bid- 
die, though still much indisposed and debilitated by 
his wound, preserved his accustomed fortitude and 
presence of mind. Though his situation, for many 
hours, under the guns of a line of battle ship, would 
have justified his surrender, yet he could not bring 
his mind to give up the ship, and his persevering and 
unyielding spirit was rewarded by the success which 
it merited, but could scarcely have expected. It is 
this gallant and heroic temper, which never despairs 
and is always master of itself, that gives its possessor 
a claim to much higher merit, than can be made by 
the ordinary efforts of courage. As their capture 
appeared to be almost inevitable, and the minds of 



ESCAPE OF THE HORNET. 333 

the crew were depressed, Captain Biddlc called them 
together and addi'essed them : he told them that he 
was determined not to heave to, but to carry sail 
from the enemy as long as his spars were unhurt, and 
that if the enemy continued to fire, he had no doubt 
that they should escape ; he told them if they were 
captured, he should expect them to behave properly ; 
he encouraged them not to fear any ill usage from 
the enemy, and assured them that he would continue, 
with them, and never abandon them. The effect of 
this address was to reanimate the spirits of the crew, 
and to make them all pleased and proud to resign 
their fate, confidently and cheerfully, to the direction 
of their brave commander. 

After escaping from the seventy-four, the loss of 
her armament and other equipments rendered the 
Hornet's return into port indispensable; and as it 
would have been extremely hazardous to approach 
our coast, being without guns, boats or anchors, he 
concluded to go into St, Salvador, for the purpose 
of refitting and resuming his cruise. He arrived 
there on the 9th of June, and on his arrival heard 
of the peace with Great Britain. He returned to 
New York, on the 30th of July. 

Agreeably to the request of Captain Biddle, a 
court of inquiry was held on the 23d day of August, 
1815, on board the Hornet, in the harbour of New 
York, to investigate the causes of the return of that 
ship into port, and to inquire into the circumstances 
attending the loss of armament, stores, &c. The 
following opinion was pronounced by the court, of 
which Captain Evans was President : " The Court, 
after mature deliberation on the testimony adduced, 



334 SERVICES SINCE THE PEACE. 

are of opinion that no blame is imputable to Captain 
Biddle, on account of the return of the Hornet into 
port with the loss of her armament, stores, &c. ; and 
that the greatest applause is due to him for his perse- 
vering gallantry, and nautical skill, evinced in escaping, 
under the most disadvantageous circumstances, after 
a long and arduous chase by a British line of battle 
ship." 

During his absence. Captain Biddle was promoted 
to the rank of post captain. 

On his return, a public dinner was given to him 
by the citizens of New York; and a subscription was 
made for a service of plate, to be presented to him by 
the citizens of Philadelphia. Other testimonials of 
respect, not less due to his private worth than to his 
merit as an officer, were bestowed upon him. 
a- Our limits will only permit a very summary notice 
of the services of Commodore Biddle, since the peace 
of Ghent. In 1 81 7, he was despatched by the govern- 
ment, in the Ontario sloop of war, to the Columbia 
river, to take possession of Oregon territory. This 
service and a cruise in the Pacific having been per- 
formed, he returned to this country, in 1819. In 
March, IS22, he was sent to the West India station, 
in the frigate Macedonian, ostensibly for the purpose 
of suppressing piracy, but with special orders to re- 
main for a considerable time in the port of Havana. 
This order, which, like several that have at various 
times proceeded from our government, showed a 
singular want of consideration for the health of the 
seamen employed in the navy, occasioned the loss of 
one hundred and three men, with the yellow fever. 
When it was apparent that the disease had com- 



WEST INDIA SERVICE. 335 

menced its ravages in the ship, Commodore Biddle 
sailed out of the harbour, and cruised about the 
islands, in order to restore health to the crew ; but it 
was too late, and he was obliged to return home with 
this severe loss. He was immediately sent back to 
the West India station, in the frigate Congress; thus 
silencing the censure bestowed upon him by the 
newspapers for remaining so long in the port of 
Havana. He continued engaged in the arduous and 
unpleasant service of suppressing piracy until the 
ensuing spring. It was about this period that the 
government made the discovery, that the employment 
of frigates on this duty could be preventive only to a 
very limited extent, on account of the readiness with 
which the pirates found shelter in the small harbours 
and creeks of the Spanish islands. Small vessels, of 
very light construction, were subsequently employed 
with more effect. 

Commodore Biddle's next service was the carrying 
abroad of two ministers, to their several destinations, 
in the frigate Congress. It will be thought by the 
reader rather an odd circumstance, that the same 
national ship should have been ordered by the govern- 
ment to convey our minister, Mr. Nelson, to Spain, 
and, at the same time, should be charged with the 
service of carrying out Mr. Rodney, as ambassador 
to Buenos Ayres, a revolted colony of Spain, whose 
independence had never been acknowledged by the 
mother country. The manifest indecorum of the 
proceeding was noticed by the newspapers of the 
time ; but the service was, nevertheless, required, and 
it was duly performed, the cruise terminating in De- 
cember, 1824. 



336 CHARACTER OF BIDDLE. 

A subsequent cruise on the South American station, 
from 182G to 1828, and another in the Mediterranean, 
during which Commodore Biddle went to Constanti- 
nople for the purpose of signing the commercial treaty 
with Turkey, were his latest voyages. The last ter- 
minated in 1832. From the year 1838 to 1812, he 
was in charge of the Naval Asylum, near Philadel- 
phia. 

Commodore Biddle's residence, when not on 
foreign service, has always been the city of Philadel- 
phia, where his well known character for courage 
and ability, and his uniformly frank, affable and gen- 
tlemanly deportment have endeared him to a large 
circle of friends. 

It has been the distinguishing character of this 
gentleman, to exert in the public service an un- 
wearied activity, and an ardent enterprise, whicli 
surmounted every obstacle and commanded the events 
of his life. Notwithstanding the difficulties and dis- 
appointments experienced by him at the commence- 
ment of the w^ar, in procuring a station, and his 
confinement at New London, almost as long and as 
depressing as the captivity at Tripoli, yet his perse- 
vering spirit led him forward, in spite of every unto- 
ward event, in the path of glory, and crowned his 
exertions with success. He was a party to two of 
the most decisive actions of the war. The capture 
of the Frolic by the Wasp, not only broke the charm 
of British naval superiority, but showed a decided 
superiority in favour of America. The capture of 
the Penguin was not less decisive ; and if, at the 
commencement of the war, the British na\y was 
surprised, from habits of security and contempt for 



CHARACTER OF BIDDLE. 



337 



their enemies, they had long before the victory of the 
Hornet learned their error and corrected their con- 
duct. In this instance, even the enemy was utterly 
unable to frame an apology for his defeat, since he 
had come out prepared, and with unusual means, to 
pursue and capture an American ship of war. 

The chase and escape of the Hornet, under the ex- 
traordinary circumstances which have been related, 
is considered, by competent judges, as one of the 
most honourable acts of which the navy can boast 




2S 



29 




OLIVER H. PERRY. 



NDOUBTEDLY good descent is 
an advantage ; and if a man, who has 
rendered his name illustrious by 
services to his country, derives re- 
flected splendour from his ancestry, 
few have stronger claims on that score than the sub- 
ject of the present biography. His great ancestor, 
Edmund Perry, was born in Devonshire, England, 
and was one of the earliest settlers of the then colony 
of Massachusetts. He was a public speaker of the 
society called Friends, and was compelled to quit 

338 




ANCESTORS OF PERRY. 339 

that colony on account of his rehgious opinions, and 
to seek a residence in South Kingston, Rhode Island. 
He had three sons, Samuel, James and Benjamin, 
who inherited the same religious principles with their 
father. Benjamin, the great grandfather, was born 
in the year 1673. Freeman, his youngest son, by a 
second marriage, was born in South Kingston, on the 
second day of February, in 1732, and in 1756 married 
the daughter of Oliver Hazard, Esq., brother to the 
Hon. George Hazard, lieutenant governor of the then 
colony of Rhode Island. The grandfather, Freeman 
Perry, was for many years clerk of the court, mem- 
ber of the legislature, judge, &c., in his native state, 
the duties of which various offices he discharged with 
great credit and ability. He died at South Kingston, 
in October, 1813, in the eighty-second 5'^ear of his 
age. Christopher Raymond Perry, the father, was 
born December 4, 1761. Notwithstanding his youth, 
at the commencement of the American revolution, he 
took a very active part, and was often found fighting 
both by land and sea in the service of his country. 
He always acquitted himself to the satisfaction of his 
commanders ; the post of danger was with him the 
post of honour. In October, 1784, he was married 
to Sarah Alexander, a lady born in Ireland, but of 
Scotch extraction ; descended, on the maternal side, 
from the Wallaces, so celebrated in the annals of 
Scotland ; — a name which Oliver would have borne 
had it not been changed to Hazard, in consequence 
of the sudden death of a beloved uncle. This ex- 
cellent woman devoted herself to the education of 
her children, and formed their youthful minds to 
early habits of virtue and religion. So successful 



340 PERRY A MIDSHIPMAN. 

■vvas.slie in these attempts, that neither the glare of 
arms, and the pomp and bustle of a military life were 
able to seduce the mind of Captain Perry from those 
salutary impressions which he received in early youth. 
At the age of seven years, he was placed at Mr. 
Frasier's school, in Newport, and under that able 
and excellent teacher he made considerable progress 
in his studies. In April, 1799, he received a mid- 
shipman's warrant, and was attached to the United 
States' ship General Greene, under the command of 
his father, with whom he sailed until the reduction 
of the navy. At this time, his father received the 
following letter from the Hon. Secretary of the Navy : 

" JVau]/ Department, April 3, 1801. 

" Sir : — The act providing for the peace establishment of the 
navy of the United States, has imposed on the President a pain- 
ful duty. It directs him to select nine gentleman from amongst 
the captains of the navy of the United States, and to permit the 
remaining commanders to retire from public service, with the ad- 
vance of four months' extra pay. I have deemed it a duty, there- 
fore, as early as possible to inform you, that you will be amongst 
those whose services, however reluctantly, will be dispensed with. 
You will transmit to the accountant of the navy a statement of your 
account, for pay and subsistence, Slc, to the 20th instant, inclu- 
sive ; on receipt of which it will be adjusted, and the balance due 
you, inclliding the four months' extra pay, will be transmitted to 
you, or paid to your order. Permit me to assure you, that the 
President has a just sense of the services rendered by you to your 
country, and that I am, with sentiments of respect, 

" Your most obedient servant, 
" By order of Henry Dearborn, acting Secretary of the JVavy, 

« S. Smith. 

" Captain Chr. R. Perry." 

On the breaking out of the Tripohtan war, Mr. 
Perry was ordered to join the frigate Adams, com- 



PERRY A LIEUTENANT. 341 

manded by Captain Campbell, with whom he sailed 
for the Mediterranean. This frigate was then lying 
in the harbour of Newport, and arrived at Gibraltar 
on the 13th of July, 1802. Herie they were met by 
Commodore Morris, in the Chesapeake, and Lieute- 
nant Sterret, of the Enterprise. . After waiting a 
month at this place, they proceeded as far as Malaga, 
with a convoy of merchant ships, and then returned 
to watch a Tripolitan ship lying at the rock of Gibral- 
tar. Here they lay for ten months watching the 
Tripolitans, at which time they were joined by Com- 
modore Preble, with the Constellation, accompanied 
by the New York, John Adams, and the Enterprise. 
Commodore Preble here shifted his flag from the 
Constellation to the New York, and ordered the 
Constellation, then commanded by Captain' Barron, 
to the United States. On the 7th of April, Mr. 
Perry sailed from Gibraltar for the United States, in 
the frigate Adams, with a convoy of ten sail of mer- 
chantmen. They touched at Malaga, Alicant, Bar- 
celona, and, after staying a few days at the latter 
place, proceeded for Leghorn, and thence to Naples. 
During this cruise, and on his birth-day, (at seventeen 
years of age,) he was promoted to an acting lieute- 
nancy. While on the Mediterranean station. Lieu- 
tenant Perry embraced an opportunity afforded by 
the indulgence of his commander, of visiting many of 
the capital cities, and examining many of the curiosi- 
ties both of Italy and Spain. He had also an oppor- 
tunity of seeing whatever was worthy of notice in the 
Italian islands, as well as on the Barbary side. He 
was at Tangiers, Ceuta, Algiers, Tunis, Derne and 
Tripoli. From Naples the frigate sailed to Strom- 

29* 



342 ON THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION. 

boli. Lieutenant Perry remained in the Mediter- 
ranean until Commodore Morris left that station, and 
■with him he returned to the United States. On 
Lieutenant Perry's return to Newport, from this 
long and fatiguing cruise, he strenuously applied him- 
self to the study, of mathematics. 

On the 5th of July, 1804, Lieutenant Perry was 
again ordered to the Constellation, under his old 
commander, Captain Campbell. This frigate was 
then fitting out at Washington, and destined to join 
our squadron at Malta, then under the command of 
Commodore Barron. He remained on board the 
Constellation until he was ordered by Captain Camp- 
bell as first lieutenant on board of the Nautilus, 
during the time that Captain Evans and Captain 
Dent assumed the command. He was attached to 
the Nautilus until Commodore Rodgers assumed the 
command of the American squadron, by whom he 
was ordered on board of his own ship, the Constitu- 
tion, where he remained until the conclusion of peace 
with the regency of Tripoli. Afterwards Commodore 
Kodgers shifted his flag to the Essex, retained Mr. 
Perry witli him as the second lieutenant, and with 
him he returned to the United States. 

After this second Mediterranean cruise. Lieutenant 
Perry applied himself with redoubled diligence to the 
stutly of mathematics, and to the rudiments of navi- 
gation. He had already been conversant with prac- 
tice : and he was thus enabled to read and to compare 
what he read w^th his own experience, and to improve 
himself both by theoretical and practical knowledge. 
During the embargo, he was appoirAid to the com- 
mand of seventeen gunboats, stationedf at the harbour 



Tiy: SURVEY. 343 

of New York, the duties of which he executed with 
his usual promptitude, industry and perseverance. 

In all these incidents we may discover rather a 
narrative of occurrences, than a description of the 
character of Lieutenant Perry. N one of these events 
have served to throw out his peculiar and distinguish- 
ing characteristics. It is time to come to more spe- 
cific detail, and we shall find an intrepidity which 
no misfortune could disturb, surpassed only by the 
modesty with which it is surrounded. In the year 
1810, Lieutenant Perry superseded Captain Jones in 
the command of the United States' schooner Re- 
venge, attached to the squadron commanded by Com- 
modore Rodgers. Lieutenant Perry- received the 
orders of his commander to commence a survey, be- 
ginning at the westernmost extreme of Gardiner's 
bay, on a parallel to extend five leagues south of the 
south side of Long Island, and north, so as to inter- 
sect the Connecticut shore ; thence as far eastward 
as to include the whole of Connecticut, as far as the 
easternmost extremity of Newport, and tlie harbours 
adjacent thereto ; from which the north and south 
parallel of the eastern boundary of the chart was to 
extend so far south that the intersecting east and west 
parallel, forming the southern margin of the chart, 
would take in Gay-head and Block-island. He was, 
by the orders of his commander, first to survey the 
harbour of Newport, and then to return to New 
London. In the execution of this duty, the schooner 
was wrecked on a reef of rocks, called Watch-hill 
reef, at the entrance of Fisher's island sound. By 
the indefatigable exertions of the officers and crew, 
almost every thing of value was saved from the 



344 LOSS OF THE REVENGE. 

wreck, and the life of every person on board was 
preserved, notwithstanding the heavy swell rendered 
the approach extremely difficult and hazardous. A 
court of inquiry was ordered by the Commodore, 
consisting of Captain Isaac Hull, and Lieutenants 
Charles Morris and Charles Ludlow ; names dear to 
the memory of Americans. Lieutenant Perry, on 
his examination before the court, gave a modest and 
perspicuous detail ; but cautiously and modestly con- 
cealed his own individual agency in attempting to 
save the stores and the men. In the examination of 
the junior officers, this fact is stated, which the court 
would never have learned from his own lips : " At 
sunset the wind changed to the northward, and blew 
heavy on the reef, when the sea increasing, and the 
vessel going fast to pieces, it was determined to leave 
her ; and the Captain, and such part of the officers as 
remained on board, landed at Watch-hill — Captain 
Perry being the last person that left the rvreckT It 
seldom happens that an officer is first recommended 
to the notice and favourable regards of his govern- 
ment by his misfortunes. Such, however, was the 
case in the present instance, and Lieutenant Perry, 
from that hour, became a favourite in the navy de- 
partment. He laid the foundation of his future 
celebrity in his misfortune. The following letter 
from the Secretary of the Navy, to the Commodore, 
sanctions these ideas, and one particular passage ap- 
pears to be beautifully prophetic. 

" jVflt»?/ Deparime7it, Fehruary^ 1811. 
"Sir: — Your letter of the 31st ultimo, with the proceedings of 
the court of inquiry into the loss of the Revenge, has been received. 
" Having attentively examined the proceedings of the court, I 



LOSS OF THE REVENGE. 345 

• 

derive much satisfaction from perceiving that it is unnecessary to 
institute any farther proceedings in the case. With respect to 
Lieutenant Perry, I can only say, that my confidence in him has 
not been in any degree diminished by his conduct on this occasion. 
The loss of the Revenge appears to be justly chargeable to the 
pilot. This accident will no doubt present to Lieutenant Perry 
considerations that may he useful to him in future command. An 
officer^ just to Idmself will not he depressed hy defeat or misfor- 
tune ; but icill be stimulated by either cause to greater exertion?"^ 

" The conduct of the officers generally, and of the crew, meets 
with my approbation, with only one exception, I mean acting Lieu- 
tenant ■ — , whose concern for himself appears to have rendered 

him regardless of his duty as an officer. Such occasions are cal- 
culated to excite the most active exertions for general relief, and 
afford opportunities of displaying a noble disinterestedness. In- 
stead of cheering those under his command to manly exertions, it 
grieves me to find that this officer was inflicting unnecessary, per- 
haps unmerited blows upon them. Furlough him as a midshipman, 
until further orders from this department. 

" If there should be any situation in the squadron, to which you 
can appoint Lieutenant Perry, that may be consistent with his just 
pretensions, and not interfere with the rights of others, you will 
appoint him to it ; if not, he is to be furloughed, waiting the farther 
orders of this department. 

" The officers and crew having perhaps suffered in their private 
property, may each receive an advance of two months' pay, to 
afford them relief. This authority is to be exercised according to 
your discretion. 

" You will cause this letter to be publicly read to Lieutenant 
Perry, his officers and crew. 

" The correctness of proceeding on the part of the court of in- 
quiry is highly approved, and to the members who compose it, 
you will be pleased to express this approbation. 

" I am, sir, yours, &c., 

" Paul Hamilton. 
" Com. RoDGERs, New London." 

On the breaking out of the war of 1812, Lieutenant 
Perry was appointed to the command of the United 
2X 



346 COMMANDS ON LAKE ERIE. 

States' flotilla, then lying in the harbour of Newport, 
with the rank of master-commandant. This place, 
however, as has been proved by subsequent events, 
was not destined for the theatre of active service. 
To a mind so enterprising and active, a mere nominal 
command, or, what amounts to the same thing, to an 
office where a brave man is, for want of opposition, in- 
cable of distinguishing himself, is irksome and destitute 
of all attractions. It soon became evident, not only 
from the declarations made on the floor of Congress, 
but likewise from the movements of General Hull, 
that the occupation of Canada was our object. It 
became then a matter of primary importance to 
secure the possession of the lakes. Commodore 
Chauncey was selected for this purpose by the navy 
department, to whom was intrusted the superintend- 
ence and direction of all our military operations on 
those waters. Captain Perry was by him appointed 
to the command of the naval forces of the United 
States on Lake Erie. So attached were the men 
who composed his squadron lying in the harbour of 
Newport, to their commander, that they cheerfully 
followed his new fortunes, and accompanied him to 
Lake Erie. At the time that General Dearborn 
contemplated an attack upon Fort George, Commo- 
dore Perry arrived in the neighbourhood of our army 
on public business. This fort, it is well known, is 
situated at the communication between the waters of 
the Lakes Ontario and Erie, and just above the Falls 
of Niagara. Commodore Perry immediately volun- 
teered his services, which were as promply accepted 
by General Dearborn and Commodore Chauncey, 
and the landing of our troops intended for the attack, 



PREPARATION OF THE FLEET. 347 

was by them confided to him. The result of that 
action is so well known, that it is conceived unneces- 
sary to occupy the attention of the reader by a more 
specific detail. 

When Commodore Perry was appointed to com- 
mand the United States' squadron on Lake Erie, 
there was no squadron for him to command. The 
British held the entire and exclusive possession of 
these waters; and to this officer was confided the 
important duty of creating a fleet, in the face of a 
proud and insolent foe. The Commodore had not 
only to contemplate the day as extremely dubious 
and distant when he should meet his enemy on fair 
and honourable terms on the bosom of the Lake, but 
likewise to guard against surprise, and to run the risk 
of having his navy destroyed on the stocks. He had 
likewise to apprehend every thing from the inexpe- 
rience of his own sailors ; and, it is hoped that it will 
not be deemed invidious to assert, from the inexpe- 
rience of his officers also. The Commodore himself 
had never seen a naval engagement; it is true that he 
had studied the theory of naval warfare-, but he had 
known nothing of active operations. He had never 
been in an engagement where a single ship was op- 
posed to a single ship ; much less could he be pre- 
sumed capable of calculating all the hazards and 
casualties where one fleet was opposed to another. 
This was untried ground, and on which the Commo- 
dore, so far as regards the knowledge resulting from 
experience, was almost as much a novice as the most 
ignorant of his crew. In addition to this formidable 
mass of obstructions, he had to encounter the genius 
of Captain Barclay, a man who, to an enterprising 



348 PREPARATION OF THE FLEET. 

and active mind, had united the lessons of sober ex- 
perience ; he was conversant with naval science both 
in theory and in practice : he had served under 
Nelson ; and in the battle of Trafalgar his wound 
was an evidence of his courage and intrepidity — these 
were the apparently unequal terms on which Commo- 
dore Perry was to cope with his gallant competitor. 
These difficulties, which in ordinary minds would 
only excite motives of despair, were, in Commodore 
Perry's, subjects only of active and of persevering 
energy. His genius seemed to expand beneath the 
pressure of the foot which was raised for its extermi- 
nation. To guard against the approach of the heavy 
vessels of the enemy, while his own fleet was upon 
the stocks, he selected a place denominated the har- 
bour of Erie, which, from the shoalness of the water, 
was incapable of being approached by vessels loaded 
with heavy ordnance. This bay, by projecting into 
the main land, rendered the pass defensible, both by 
armed boats and by the militia, who, on the requisi- 
tions of the Commodore, were stationed to watch 
every motion of the enemy. Here, if Captain Bar- 
clay attempted to enter, he would be compelled to 
relinquish his maritime superiority — he would be 
compelled to forego his heavy ships, and to trust his 
strength in boats, which might be opposed by an 
equal force on the water, as well as by the militia, 
who were stationed to prevent his advances. His 
naval pre-eminence would now avail him nothing. 
Under such auspices did Commodore Perry com- 
mence the hazardous undertaking of building his fleet. 
Frequently were alarms excited, and, probably, for 
nefarious purposes promulgated, that Captain Barclay 



FORCE OF THE FLEETS. 349 

intended an attack, and as often was the vigilance 
and promptitude of Commodore Perry found equal 
to the emergency. The militia were, by these false 
alarms, rendered more expert, and his own sailors 
were, from the same causes, trained, disciplined, and 
inured to their duty. 

These are some, and but faint views of the difficul- 
ties which Commodore Perry had to surmount. 
Many minds are found capable of comprehending 
things in the mass, which cannot, at the same time, 
bear all the tedious minutioe of detail. Commodore 
Perry, however, was as attentive to the one as to the 
other. While he was revolving in his mind, and 
anxiously awaiting for the day when he should meet 
his opponent on equal terms, he superintended the 
whole of the preparatory arrangements, and displayed 
the same persevering zeal as he did in the grander 
scenes in which he was afterwards called to act. 

On the morning of the 10th of September, 1813, 
Commodore Perry's fleet — consisting of the brig 
Lawrence, of twenty guns ; the Niagara, of twenty ; 
the Caledonia, of three ; the schooner Ariel, of four ; 
the Scorpion, of two ; the Somers, of two guns and 
two swivels ; the sloop Trippe, the schooner Tigress, 
and the Porcupine, carrying each one gun only, and 
making in the aggregate fifty-four guns — were lying 
in Put-in bay. The British fleet, commanded by 
Commodore Barclay, were discovered, consisting 
of the ship Detroit, carrying nineteen guns ; the 
Queen Charlotte, seventeen ; the schooner Lady 
Prevost, thirteen ; the brig Hunter, ten ; the sloop 
Little Belt, three; and the schooner Chippeway, one 
— making a difference of nine guns in favour of the 

30 



350 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 

British. Commodore Perry preserving the weather- 
gage of his antagonist, bore up to the windward, 
and formed his squadron in line of battle. The 
enemy commenced firing, and as he mounted long 
twenty-four, eighteen, and twelve pounders, his fire 
became destructive. The Commodore observing this 
inequality of fire, and his own ship being the princi- 
pal sufferer, made the signal for close action. The 
Lawrence was, in this situation, exposed for upwards 
of two hours to a fire so destructive and tremendous, 
that every brace and bowline was shot away, every 
gun rendered useless, and the greater part of her 
crew either killed or wounded. 

Commodore Perry lay in the Lawrence between the 
Queen Charlotte and the Detroit, with the schooners 
Ariel and Scorpion on his weather-bow. 

While the battle was thus raging, the gunboats, on 
which so much depended in such a crisis, and which, 
from the facility of their management, were capable 
of such speedy and effectual annoyance of the enemy, 
did but little or no execution. 

This is a broad outline of the action, and of the 
situation of the respective ships at this critical 
moment. Commodore Perry finding that no more 
effective hostility could be done in the Lawrence, 
hastily left her, in the charge of his brave and gallant 
lieutenant, Yarnall, and immediately proceeded on 
board the Niagara, bearing the commodore's flag, on 
which was inscribed the dying words of the brave 
Lawrence, "Dofi't give up the sJiij).'^ He passed the 
line of the enemy, exposed to the full hazard of their 
musketry, still standing in the boat, a marked and 
pointed object, until he was forcibly pulled down by 




351 



BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 353 

his own men. When he arrived on board of the 
Niagara, the crew of the Lawrence — the few remain- 
ing crew — gave three cheers, on account of the safety 
of their beloved commander. Commodore Perry 
said, addressing. Captain EUiot, "Do you see those 
infernal gunboats — they have lost us the victory." 
*' No," exclaims his confederate, "do you take com- 
mand of this ship and I will bring up the boats." 
This was what Commodore Perry so delicately men- 
tions in his letter to the Secretary of the Navy, that 
Captain Elliot anticipated his wishes, in bringing up 
the boats. 

A fresh breeze springing up at this moment. Com- 
modore Perry availed himself of this favourable 
opportunity, and plunged through the enemy's line, 
giving them a raking fire from the right and left. 
Captain Elliot in the mean time, having brought up 
the gunboats, did vigorous execution, by plying them 
in dillerent directions, for which kind of naval service 
they are so admirably adapted. The enemy, over 
whom victory seemed to hover until this moment, 
were compelled to strike their flags; and Captain 
Barclay, who was fainting below, from tlie loss of 
blood, being carried on deck, agreed that nothing 
better could be done. 

On board the Lawrence twenty-two were killed, 
and sixty-one wounded. On board the Niagara two 
were killed, and twenty-five wounded. On board 
the Caledonia three were wounded; and on board 
the Ariel two. On board the Trippe and the Scor- 
pion two only were wounded in each — making, in the 
whole, one hundred and twenty-three in killed and 
2Y 30* 



364 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 

wounded. The number of the enemy's killed and 
wounded is not known. 

During this sanguinary battle, the Lawrence, after 
Commodore Perry had left her, was compelled to 
strike her colours, but the British not being able to 
take possession, the flag was afterwards rehoisted.* 

It was thought by many persons in the fleet at the 
time of the battle, that Captain Elliot might have 
come into close action before Commodore Perry 
boarded his vessel; and Perry himself expressed this 
opinion, and called on the proper authorities for an 
oflicial inquiry into tlie matter, some time after. 
This gave rise to a controversy which has not yet 
terminated, during which much nautical language, 
much special pleading, and many diagrams have been 
employed to show that if there was any fault it was 
Perry's, and not Elliot's. But public opinion chose 
to regard Perry as the hero of the day, at the time 
of the battle, and the lapse of nearly tliirty years has 
not served to depress his reputation in public estima- 
tion, notwithstanding the violence with which it has 
been assailed. If there ever was a victory won by 
the extraordinary exertions of the commander-in- 
chief, it was this on Lake Erie. There were many 
circumstances against him — such as the superior 
force of the enemy, the sickness of many of his men, 
while those of the British are admitted to have been 
all in liealth, and the fact that he received no support 
from the Niagara until his own ship was disabled, and 
he was compelled to shift his flag. It is upon these 
broad and undisputable facts, that his countrymen 

* Port Folio. 



HONOURS CONPEHRED ON PERRy. 355 

have assigned him a place in the very highest rank 
of their naval commanders, from which detraction 
can never remove him. His memory and Ws noble 
character will be cherished to the latest fi^ 
portion of the nation's inheritance of glorv "' ' 

Previous to Perry's victory, there were manv and 

both the fnends and enemies of that measure ven ' 

wl unXr"T /'"V^^ AmericanTC; 
7hZ ""^^'%*.«/onduct a fleet in action. Everv 

m'ies of We'w ""?, "°" ''""""''' »"" ^'-^s and 
enemies of the war all united to do honour to those 

to whom honour was so justly due. I„ acknow edg 

ment of h,s services in this action. Perry was orf 

moted, and received the thanks of Congress .Id mC' 

^ate legislatures; but he rested notfom £ To^ 

The Bntish naval force on the Lake was now sub 

dued, and Perry quitted naval warfare for the moment 

HarriSf o'n I "f ' I" ''^ ^"""'1'^-^ "^ G-^l 
Harrison, on land. He assisted at the takin.- of 

IS ot^rrr^--'--'^^^ October fotin^ 

The President of the United States, Mr Madison 
in his message to Congress, speaks of his condu t fn 

me nation. Captam Perry had a command on the 
Potomac, at the time of the taking of Washi^l„ 
bu It was so small as to be inadequate forft" ' " ' 
taction of the town, and no blame can thererre be" 

hefriS Ja ^ VT' "* ^'^'«^^' -""-^'"^ 
June IS '; "''f' Commodore Decatur, who, in 
June, 1815, captured an Algerine frigate, commanded 



25§ HEROIC ACTION. 

by Admiral Reis Hammida, commonly styled '' the 
terror of the seas." After his return to the United 
States, in midwinter, whilst the Java was lying at 
Newport, he was told that a merchant vessel had 
gone to pieces on a reef, five or six miles from that 
place, and that the crew were still on the wreck, at 
the mercy of the winds and waves. He manned his 
barge, and said to the rowers — " Come, my boys ! 
we are going to the relief of shipwrecked seamen ; 
pull away." He was most cheerfully obeyed, and, 
on arriving at the vessel, found eleven men on the 
quarter-deck, whom they rescued. The fame of this 
heroic and perilous deed spread far and wide, and 
the great mass of his countrymen declared Perry to 
be as worthy of the civic as of the naval crown. 

In 1819, Perry was sent in the John Adams to the 
West Indies, with sealed orders. He had the com- 
mand of the squadron on that station. It was a 
command of importance, for the seas swarmed with 
pirates, who vexed the commerce and committed the 
most atrocious murders. He was not long the 
guardian of those seas. The yellow fever was in 
the squadron, and of that disease he died, August 
23d, 1820, just as he was entering a port of Trini- 
dad. Thus perished, in the prime of life, and in the 
midst of usefulness, one of the most gallant officers 
of this or any other country. He was buried on the 
24th, with military honours. Every tribute of 
national grief was paid to his memory, in the United 
States, and Congress made a liberal provision for his 
family, including his mother, who depended on him 
for support. 

Commodore Perry married, early in life, a daughter 



CHARACTER OF PERRY. 



357 



of Dr. Mason, of Newport, and was happy in his 
domestic ties. He was a man of talents, of great tact 
in his profession, and every way fitted for a great 
naval commander. His intrepidity was the effect of 
nature and art combined. In his early youth he 
planned in imagination what he would one day be- 
come, and he very nearly fulfdied his boyish predic- 
tions. He always adapted the means to the ends, 
and never ventured on any thing that was not feasible. 
His mind was prolific, but well balanced. He never 
was swayed from his purposes, or " frightened from 
his propriety," always acting with a wisdom and 
gravity beyond his years, and seldom without success. 

Commodore Perry was in person of a martial cast, 
tall and well proportioned, yet displaying a fine sym- 
metry of limbs, and graceful movement of the body. 
The expression of his face was manly and intellectual, 
with more than ordinary traces of refinement. 

The remains of Commodore Perry have been 
brought to Newport, and a monument has been 
erected to his memory by the legislature of Rhode 
Island.* 

* Portrait Gallery. 




WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE. 




!«*P*- 



I T T L E research 

is necessary to find 
the materials oi^ this 
commander's life. 
It has already em- 
ployed some of the 
ablest pens in the 
country; and de- 
servedly, for among 
the many Avho have 
distinguished them- 
selves in the youthful noon of the navy of our coun- 
trv. few have ranked higher than Commodore AVilliam 
Bainbridge. By his own merit and exertion, he 
raised himself from the rant of a common sailor, on 
a merchantman, to the highest rank of the navy, and 
in this responsible situation conducted himself in 
such a manner as to win the approval of every candid 
mind. The honour of his nation, the dignity of his 
station, the respect due his own personal character, — 
tliese were the interests he ever felt bound to support, 
and it was the magnanimous maintenance o( these 
that procured him renown among his fellow-citizens. 
Wu.i.i.vM B.\iM>RinGE was born at Princeton, 
New .lersev. May 7. 1771, being descended from 
ancestors of high standing, who had f(.»r several gene- 
rations resided in New Jersey. His lather was a 

35S 



EARLY LIFE. 359 

physician of some eminence, who removed to the city 
01 New York shortly after the birth of his fourth 
son, who IS the subject of this memoir. Youn-v 
liainbrido-c was possessed of a bold and generous 
disposition and an athletic frame, and distino-uished 
himselt in every boyish undertaking where dano-er 
was to be encountered. John Taylor, his maternal 
grandaither, superintended his education, and early 
impressed on his mind the impoftance of those hio-h 
moral sentiments which were subsequently so eini- 
nently displayed in his character and actions At 
the age of fifteen, he was seized with a sudden desire 
to go to sea, and his importunities prevailing upon 
his parents, he was placed on board a merchantman 
about sailing from Philadelphia. AVhen only ei-hteeu 
years of age, he was promoted to the rank of first 
mate of a vessel in the Holland trade; and durin- 
the voyage suppressed a mutiny among the crew and 
saved the life of tlie commander by his own intre- 
pidity and energy of character. For this act of 
manly conduct, and his great nautical skill, he was 
appointed captain of the same vessel, at the ao-e of 
nineteen. * 

In the year 1796, lying off Bordeaux, in command 
of the Hope, of Philadelphia, he was hailed by the 
otliccr of an American vessel, whose crew had risen 
111 mutiny. He hastened on board and quelled the 
mutineers, but an accidental explosion of gunpowder 
had nearly cost him his life. The same year with 
an armament of four guns and eleven men, he was 
fired upon by a British schooner, of eight guns and 
thirty men : after a brisk action, the enemy struck 
being much injured in the hull and rigging, and havin- 



360 IMPRESSMENT. 

several men killed and wounded. As it would have 
been illegal to take possession of the prize, Bain- 
bridge contented himself with hailing the captain of 
the schooner and telling him to '' go about his busi- 
ness, and report to his masters that if his ship was 
wanted they must either send a greater force or a 
more skilful commander." 

Some time after ^is event, while homeward bound, 
his vessel was boarded by the first lieutenant of an 
English cruiser, and one of his men impressed, on 
pretence of his being a Scotchman, despite the as- 
surances of Bainb ridge to the contrary. Five days 
after, Bainbridge fell in with an English brig of a 
force superior to his own, and having seized and con- 
veyed to his own vessel one of the English marines, 
he hailed the captain and informed him that " he 
might report that Captain William Bainbridge had 
taken one of his Majesty's subjects, in retaliation for 
a seaman taken from the American ship Hope, by 
Lieutenant Norton, of the Indefatigable razee, com- 
manded by Sir Edward Pellew." The captured 
seaman received good wages, and was discharged as 
soon as he reached an American port, in no way dis- 
satisfied with the service into which he had been thus 
forced. 

The bravery and decision of character manifested 
by Captain Bainbridge, in these little affairs, engaged 
the notice of the Secretary of the Navy, who ap- 
pointed him to the command of the Retaliation, a 
vessel lately taken as a prize from the French, by 
Captain Decatur, father to the renowned commodore 
of that name. In September, 1798, the Retahation, 
in company with the Norfolk and Montezuma, sailed 



SERVICE LN THE WEST INDIES. 361 

for the West Indies, under the command of Commo- 
dore Murray. Cruising off Guadaloupe the following 
November, three sail were discovered to the east, 
supposed to be English ; and two other vessels hove 
in sight to the westward, at the same time. Com- 
modore Murray sailed for the latter, the Norfolk 
accompanying him ; while Bainbridge was left to 
examine the cruisers to the eastward, which, instead 
of being British, as had been supposed, unfortunately 
proved to be French. One of the frigates, L'lnsur- 
gente, hoisted the French flag, fired upon the Re- 
taliation, and ordered her to strike. The other, Le 
Volontier, ranging alongside, commanded Bainbridge 
to repair on board ; who presented his sword imme- 
diately on reaching the deck. The Commodore, St. 
Laurent, politely declined the proffered submission, 
observing, "that as he had had no opportunity to 
defend himself, he should prefer that he would retain 
his sword." The two frigates immediately made sail 
in chase of the Montezuma and Norfolk, but as the 
former was a ship of some size. Commodore St. 
Laurent felt a little apprehensive of permitting L'ln- 
surgente — which had far outstripped his own vessel, 
and was now a long distance ahead of her, — to engage 
single-handed with a vessel whose force might be su- 
perior to his own. He, therefore, inquired of Bain- 
bridge as to the size of the American vessels. The 
shrewd Captain replied, with great coolness, that the 
ship carried twenty-eight twelve pounders, and the 
brig twenty nine pounders, thus nearly doubling their 
real force. This induced the Commodore to recal 
the Insurgente from the chase, the captain of which 
returned much chagrined, declaring that he could 
2Z 31 



362 CAPTIVITY. 

have captured both in ten minutes, as there was not 
on either vessel a gun of more than six pounds. St. 
Laurent manifested great irritation at this ruse de 
guerre, but considering the deception as one of those 
frequently practised in war, and justified by the cir- 
cumstances of the case, he recovered his good humour, 
and treated Bainbridge with great courtesy so long 
as he remained his prisoner. 

The prize was carried into Basseterre, and her 
officers and crew ordered to a loathsome prison : but 
the humane interference of St. Laurent procured for 
the officers permission to remain on board the frigate. 
The governor of the island. General Desfourneaux, 
wished to treat with Lieutenant Bainbridge as the re- 
presentative of his government, promising to liberate 
the officers and crew of the Retaliation, if he would 
consider the island of Guadaloupe as neutral during 
the war between the United States and France. Bain- 
bridge replied that his powers extended no further 
than an exchange of prisoners was concerned ; that 
he regarded himself and crew as prisoners of war ; 
and complained deeply of the barbarous manner in 
which they were treated. The governor admitted 
the truth of his complaint ; promised again and again 
to ameliorate their condition, which was truly de- 
plorable ; and finally placed Bainbridge and his crew 
in possession of the Retaliation, fitted out a cartel to 
convey other American prisoners, who had been con- 
fined in Guadaloupe, to the United States, and the 
two vessels set sail in company, with M. Le Blanc, 
the governor's bearer of despatches to the President 
of the United States. 

Here his whole conduct was highly approved by 



VISIT OF TOUSSAINT. 363 

the government, and he was promoted to the rank 
of master-commandant, and put in command of the 
Norfolk, which his address had saved from capture. 
He received orders to join the cruising squadron of 
Commodore Truxtun, and, while on his way to the 
station in the West Indies, he fell in with a larsre, 
heavy, three-masted armed schooner, to which he gave 
chase ; but his topmast being lost by carrying sail, he 
was obliged to put into St, Kitt's to repair. Here 
he took under charge a convoy of one hundred and 
nineteen sail, homeward bound. While on the pas- 
sage, the convoy fell in with an enemy's frigate, and 
Bainbridge, giving signal to the convoy to disperse, 
drew off the frigate from the merchantmen, and oc- 
cupied her till nightfall, when he gave the enemy the 
slip, and succeeded the next day in collecting the 
whole fleet. 

In September, 1799, the Norfolk sailed from Sandy 
Hook for the West Indies, where Bainbridge received 
orders from Commodore Perry, — father of the re- 
nowned Oliver H. Perry, — to cruise off Hispaniola. 
At Cape Fran9ois, he waited on General Toussaint, 
who received him with great politeness, and accepted 
his invitation to visit him on board his ship. Bain- 
bridge, in return, was invited to dine v^ith Toussaint, 
and, during the conversation, the General inquired 
of him how he meant to dispose of the prisoners 
taken from the brigand Riego : offering, at the same 
time, to take charge of them, if Captain Bainbridge 
were willing. Being asked how he proposed to treat 
them, he replied that he would drum them out, and 
shoot them ; upon which Captain Bainbridge assured 
him that if he were to accede to his wishes he would 



364 CAPTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN. 

be in danger of being shot himself by his own govern- 
ment. On the 31st October, the Norfolk, with her 
guns housed, and otherwise disguised as a merchant- 
man, was pursued by an armed barge, which Bain- 
bridge permitted to approach till within gunshot, 
when he turned about and poured into her a deadly 
broadside. There being a calm, the barge succeeded 
in escaping to shore, where the boat of the Norfolk 
pursued and captured her, finding six dead or dying 
in and about the boat. Eight days after, the Nor- 
folk took the French lugger Republican, with her 
prize, a sloop loaded with cofiee. The lugger was 
destroyed, and her prize sent in. Shortly after, 
Bainbridge received orders to cruise off Havana, 
where he was joined by two other sloops of war, the 
Warren and the Pinckney. The whole force was 
placed under his command, and was well employed 
in protecting the commerce of the United States till 
March, 1800, when his cruise being up, he returned 
home, and anchored off Philadelphia. 

His conduct was so favourably regarded by the 
President, that he was promoted to the rank of cap- 
tain — the highest then existing in the navy ; and in 
the following May appointed to the command of the 
George Washington, with orders to carry tribute to 
the Dey of Algiers. Having arrived at Algiers and 
presented the tribute, he was required by the Dey to 
carry presents to Constantinople, to conciliate the 
government of the sublime Porte, whom he had 
offended by concluding a treaty with France, when 
Turkey was engaged in a war with Buonaparte, in 
Egypt. Bainbridge remonstrated in vain against this 
unexpected requisition. The Dey reminded him that 



VOYAGE TO CONSTANTINOPLE. 365 

he was entirely in his power, and threatened, in case 
of his refusing to comply with his orders, to confine 
in slavery the crew of the frigate, and to make war 
on the American trade. Bainbridge finally yielded 
to his arbitrary demands, being influenced to this de- 
cision by Richard O'Brien, the American consul, 
who had himself been imprisoned in Algiers, and was 
well aware of the power of the barbarian in his own 
territory. 

The passengers, upwards of two hundred in num- 
ber, and the presents, amounting to about half a mil- 
lion of our money, were placed on board, and the 
vessel ready to sail the 19th of October; when a 
difficulty arose in regard to the flag she was to carry. 
The Dey maintained that, as the frigate conveyed his 
ambassador, the Algerine flag should fly at the main 
and the American colours be carried at the fore ; and 
Bainbridge, finding remonstrance vain, was again 
obliged to yield his opinion to superior force. No 
sooner had he passed the batteries, however, than he 
gave the precedence to his own national ensign, and 
the stars and stripes waved proudly from the pinna- 
cle, — the place they so justly deserved. The voyage 
was a long and boisterous one. Contrary winds im- 
peded their progress, and the crowded state of the 
vessel greatly interrupted the performance of its 
duties. The deck was crowded with cages of wild 
beasts for the Sultan, and the Mahometan passengers, 
who five times a day performed their devotions, with 
their faces towards Mecca, regulating their position 
by the compass on the binacle, where they stationed 
one of their own number to give notice of any change 
incident to the tacking of the ship. Fearing a long 

31* 



366 ARRIVAL AT CONSTANTINOPLE. 

detention at the castles, Bainbridge had recourse to 
an artifice by which to dispense with the necessity 
of a firman. When about entering the harbour, he 
fired a salute, at the same time clewing sails as if he 
meant to anchor. The guns at the castles, on each 
side, returned the salute, and being enveloped in a 
cloud of smoke, the frigate crowded all sail, passed 
the castles, and dropped anchor under the walls of 
Constantinople, November 9th. A messenger was 
sent to inquire under what flag Bainbridge sailed : he 
replied, the flag of the United States, when the mes- 
senger remarked that no such country as the United 
States had ever been heard of at the Porte, and de- 
sired him to state more explicitly whence he came. 
He then reported his vessel to belong to the new 
world, which Columbus had discovered ; upon which 
the messenger returned on shore.* He returned, 
after the lapse of a few hours, and presented a lamb 
and a bunch of flowers, emblems of peace and wel- 
come. The governor of the castle had nearly lost 
his life for permitting the frigate to pass without a 
firman ; and it was only by the generous representa- 
tions of Bainbridge, — who frankly acknowledged his 
error, and oflered to bear the consequences himself, — 
that the Capudan Pacha was induced to withhold his 
signature from the governor's death warrant. 

This Capudan Pacha, whose office corresponds 
with that of Lord High Admiral, formed a warm 
friendship for Bainbridge ; and being generous and 
well informed, and possessing greater influence at 
court than any other subject, this attachment proved 
of great service to the commander of the George 

* Harris. 



RETURN TO ALGIERS. 367 

Washington, during his stay at Constantinople. On 
his departure, the Pacha furnished him with a pass- 
port, which subsequently procured for himself, and 
the flag under which he sailed, great respect at the 
hands of the Turks. While at Constantinople, Cap- 
tain Bainbridge met with Daniel Clarke, the cele- 
orated traveller, and with him made several excursions 
into the neighbouring country, penetrating as far as 
the Black sea, where were displayed for the first 
time the stars and stripes of republican America. 

The George Washington sailed for Algiers, on 
the 30th of December, 1800, and anchored without 
the harbour, on the 21st of January following. The 
commander resolved not again to place himself in the 
power of the Dey, and refused to anchor within the 
mole until he should promise to require no further 
service of himself or his vessel. The necessity of 
this precaution had been rendered apparent by a re- 
quest which the Dey had sent to Bainbridge to re- 
turn to Constantinople with his ambassador. The 
pledge was at length given, though with reluctance; 
and soon after bringing the frigate to her new 
moorings, Bainbridge and the American consul were 
invited to wait upon the Dey, in his audience cham- 
ber. They were received with harsh words and a 
frowning brow, and the rage of the despot soon burst 
forth with a fury that threatened personal violence. 
Surrounded with obedient janizaries, a nod from the 
monarch would have cost the Americans their lives ; 
and had not Bainbridge haply bethought himself of 
the Capudan Pacha's letter of protection, the re- 
maining moments of their lives would doubtless have 
been few. The paper was produced, and it acted as 



868 INTERVIEW WITH THE DEY. 

a charm, changing the furious despot, in a moment, 
to a mild and even servile dependant. Every pro- 
fession of friendship, and every offer of service were 
made, and the subject of a second voyage to Con- 
stantinople was never again alluded to. 

The next day, the Dey caused the flag-staff of the 
French consul to be cut down, which amounted to a 
declaration of war against his government ; and 
having no other object upon which to vent his fury, 
he caused the consul, with all the French residents at 
Algiers, to be cast into prison. Bainbridge humanely 
interfered in their behalf, and procured their release 
on condition that they should leave his territory 
within forty-eight hours. No other vessel but the 
George Washington could be procured to carry them 
from the Dey's power, and, notwithstanding the war 
then existing between France and our government, 
Bainbridge undertook to convey them to a place of 
safety; and by extraordinary exertions the vessel 
was got ready and sailed from the harbour within an 
hour of the expiration of the time allowed the French 
to escape. He landed his passengers at Alicant, and 
then sailed for the United States, where he found 
that his conduct was highly approved by the govern- 
ment. 

In May, 1801, Captain Bainbridge, — who had 
been retained in the service on the reduction of the 
number of officers, — was appointed to the Essex, a 
man of war carrying fifty-eight twelve pounders, with 
orders to join a squadron about sailing for the Medi- 
terranean. Besides the Essex, there were two other 
frigates, the President and the Philadelphia, and the 
schooner Enterprise. The squadron was under the 



COMMANDS THE PHILADELPHIA. 369 

command of Commodore Richard Dale, and its ob- 
ject in sailing was to protect the American com- 
merce from the attacks of the Tripolitan cruisers. It 
reached Gibraltar on the 1st of July, when it fell in 
with two Tripolitan corsairs, commanded by a Scotch 
renegade, in the capacity of admiral. The frigate 
Philadelphia was directed to watch these vessels, 
while the Essex was despatched to the northern 
coast to collect American merchantmen, and conduct 
them through the straits of Gibraltar. While en- 
gaged in this duty, Captain Bainbridge and his 
officers received frequent insults from some of the 
Spanish officers at Barcelona, which appear to have 
been induced by jealousy of the praises bestowed 
upon the Essex for her beauty and order. The com- 
mander displayed on this occasion his usual spirit 
and perseverance, and succeeded in obtaining from 
the otfending officers a satisfactory apology. The 
Essex convoyed merchantmen through the straits 
during the winter and spring of 1802, when, being 
in want of repairs, she was ordered home. Bain- 
bridge was soon after appointed to the command of 
the Philadelphia, to cruise in the Mediterranean, 
under Commodore Preble. Each vessel sailed as it 
was ready, and the Philadelphia, with a crew of over 
three hundred men, entered the straits on the 24th 
of August. On the night of the 26th, Bainbridge 
fell in with a ship and a brig in company, both under 
short canvass. Anxious to know their character, he 
hailed the ship, and, after much evasion on the part 
of the captain, ascertained her to be a Moorish 
cruiser, the Meshtoha, with a crew of one hundred 
and twenty men ; and was informed that the brig was 
3 A 



370 THE PHILADELPHIA GROUNDS. 

an American, which they had boarded but not de- 
tained. This excited the suspicions of Bainbridge, 
and he sent his first hcutenant to board the Meshtoha. 
This attempt was resisted till an armed boat was 
sent, when no farther opposition being made, the 
frigate was searched. The officers and crew of the 
brig were found under the hold, having been captured 
by tlie Moorish cruiser, nine days before. The ship 
was taken, and the next day the brig was also 
captured, and with this prize, Bainbridge put into 
Gibraltar. He found by the papers of the Moorish 
commander, that he had permission from the governor 
of Mogadore to cruise for American vessels, although 
Morocco was ostensibly at peace with the United 
States. But this capture was a strong check to 
Moorish depredations, and prevented any repetition 
of the offence by that power. 

A short time after, while cruising off Tripoli, Bain 
bridge was informed that a corsair belonging to this 
government had sailed on a cruise the day previous. 
Lieutenant commandant Smith, of the Vixen, was 
despatched in pursuit. On the 21st of October, as 
the Philadelphia was making sail to recover her posi- 
tion before Tripoli, from which she had been driven ' 
by westerly winds, at eight o'clock in the morning 
they perceived a vessel ahead, which proved to be 
one of the Bashaw's cruisers. All sail was made in 
pursuit, but, owing to Bainbridgc's ignorance of the 
soundings, and the imperfection of his charts, his 
vessel struck on a reef, and every attempt to force 
the ship over the obstacle, or back her by the stern, 
proved unavailing. The anchors were cut away, the 
guns — except those aft — and other heavy articles 



CAPTIVITY. gy 



Having been for « ™ i ""^ ""'™''y Posit'on. 

Possession was taken about s,„se^ ad , f'™""; 
entered at every nort r)ffi.„, j' '" ^''*^'' 

dered, indiscrinL'at ey. of ev rwhin?"/",:;'' '",!'"- 
possessed, and almost very r? of "f ,?.'™''''= ">^y 
bridge submitted to the .LM t ,1 ^'^"rn , "" 

o.*red tbem to ^oC' ^z^t^::::'': 

rrr.™':,i'°'-."'?- ^"^^ -- then pS" 
t^iicirge ot the minister of stato ^wr, at i 

%>.eis, and conducted to T ',.! 0^;.?^ 
Am„,e., consul, which was for a time to b:t.!:!r 

toSldT^Ti^rthnj.^L-^D^'^T"^ 

Mr^ N,ssen, p/oved a warfric2 to^trlS 

I^,yes; procured books to relieve the tcdi urels 

of their confinement; and devised means for a ^^ 

■ ^^^ ^"^''^^^ employed all his captured 

warranted hi neTr ^1:;.. h"' 7 "'"' "'" "'''"" ""'I »""''i"8» 
point. '''"°'"-'' '° "'<= sl.ore,_whicl, was .la- material 



372 CAPTIVITY. 

seamen in business connected with their trades, or at 
work on the fortifications. He allowed them wages 
for extra work, and, as they were permitted to walk 
through the streets, two or three at a time, they 
generally managed to spend the money thus obtained 
in purchasing grog, and then returned reeling to their 
prison. They were thus exposed to frequent col- 
lisions with the Tripolitans, and often were punished 
by the bastinado, which the under slave-driver, — 
whose humanity greatly favoured them, — administer- 
ed with little severity. During i\\efast of Ramadan, 
the prisoners were treated with unusfial kindness by 
the Mahometans, who are required, during this period 
of thirty days, to show hospitality and mercy to 
enemies. On the occasion of the Bairam festival, 
which immediately followed. Captain Bainbridge and 
his first lieutenant, Mr. David Porter, were invited to 
the Bashaw's palace, where this dignitary received 
them in great state. Having partaken of sherbet and 
coffee, they visited the prime minister, who received 
them in like manner ; and then the minister of state, 
Sidi Mohammed Dgheis. The kind interposition of 
this amiable minister procured for the officers per- 
mission to ride out into the country to breathe the 
pure air, inhale the delightful odour of the orange 
groves, and forget, in the beauties of nature, the hard 
lot to which they were condemned. 

On the 15th of February, 1804, the Philadelphia 
was destroyed ; and the brave Americans who had 
devised and achieved this brilliant enterprise, waited 
but suflicient force to procure their countrymen's 
release. About the 1st of August, a large fleet was 
visible in the offmg, but, in consequence of a heavy 



TREATY. 373 

gale, it soon disappeared. A few days after, the force 
reappeared, and then ensued the memorable attack 
of the 3d of August. On the night of the 14th of 
September, occurred the terrible catastrophe in which 
the gallant Somers perished ; and from this time the 
din of war ceased. 

The moment of their relief at length arrived. The 
consul general for Barbary appeared off the coast, 
as American negotiator ; and the Spanish consul, as 
agent for the Bashaw, was ordered to confer with 
him on board the Constitution. Some little difficul- 
ties occurred to the adjustment of the terms, and the 
minister of state proposed that Bainbridge should go 
on board the frigate, and that by his endeavours the 
peace might be hastened. The wily Bashaw scoffed 
at the proposal, believing no reliance could be placed 
on the word of a "Christian dog;" and it was not 
till the generous minister had offered his own son as a 
pledge for Bainbridge's return, that the chief yielded 
his consent to the proposals. On the 1st of June, 
1805, Bainbridge repaired on board the Constitution, 
and passed the whole day among the squadron ; but 
he returned in the evening with little hope of the 
success of the 'negotiation. The Bashaw rejected 
with disdain the terms proposed by him, and Mr. 
Nissen was sent on board the frigate to confer with 
the American agent. These agreed upon the basis 
of a treaty, and on the next day a council was as- 
sembled by the Bashaw, to which was referred the 
articles for ratification or rejection. Bainbridge was 
invited to be present, and on his entering the council- 
hall, the Bashaw informed him that he conferred on 
him an honour never before received by a prisoner 

32 



374 RELEASE OF PRISONERS. 

in Barbary, in thus admitting him to his private 
divan ; and, in order to enable him to understand the 
debates, he caused them to be carried on in French. 

The Bashaw then proposed to the divan the ques- 
tion of " peac€ or war with the United States. The 
members were equally divided on the question, and 
the Bashaw remarked : " Four of you for peace, and 
four for war ; which party am I to satisfy ' — liow am 
I to act ?" Sidi Mohammed rose and addressed 
him, " You are our prince and master — you have not 
called us here to dictate to you, but to hear our 
opinions. It remains now for you to act as you 
please ; but let me entreat you, for your own interest, 
and the happiness of your people, to make peace." 
The prince drew his signet from his bosom, afiixed 
it to the treaty, and pronounced, "// is peace."' The 
treaty was conveyed back to the frigate ; the salutes 
of peace followed ; and thus the war terminated. 

The exchange of prisoners was made, and shortly 
after the squadron sailed with the rescued captives, 
who, after nineteen months passed in painful captivity, 
rejoiced to tind themselves free, on the decks of 
United States' men oi^ war. A Court of Inquiry for 
the loss of the Philadelphia, was held at Syracuse, 
in the latter part of June, by which the officers were 
most honourably acquitted. His country judged 
fairly of Bainbridge in this atiair ; not a word of re- 
proach has been uttered against him, while his sufler- 
ings have procured him the warmest sympathy. The 
officers of the Philadelphia reached home in the fall 
of 1805, and Bainbridge hastened to see a loved 
family from whom he had been so long severed. In 
a few months he was appointed to the command of 



' NARROW ESCAPE. 375 

the Navy Yard at New Yorlf; but, as his pecuniary 
atlairs were somewhat embarrassed, he procured a 
furloujih, and for nearly two years engaged in the 
merchant service. 

An accident happened to him while engaged in 
this service, which had nearly deprived his country 
of his subsequent valuable services, and brought him. 
in the tlower of his age, to a ^\'xitery grave. As he 
was returning from a nsit to Captain Hays, in his 
own vessel, while near the Bahama bank, in the act 
of stepping from the boat to the Minerva, a wave 
struck the boat, and he was thrown between it and 
the ship. Unable to swim, he immediately sunk, but 
soon appeared at the stern of the vessel. The mate 
seized the main-brace, and in attempting to jump off 
with it that he might place it in the hands of the 
commander, his feet became entangled in it, and he 
did not reach the water. Bainbridge sunk a second 
time, and though various articles were thrown out 
for him to seize, he failed in reaching any of them, 
and sunk a tliird time. While slowh* sinking, he 
perceived the deep-sea line near him, and, by strong 
exertions, succeeded in drawing himself to the surface 
with its aid, when he was taken up by the boat much 
exhausted. The deep-sea line had been cast out by 
his mulatto servant, "Will, on hearing that his master 
was overboard, and this was the means of saving his 
life. 

In March. 1S08. he was appointed to the Portland 
station, and in December following, he received the 
command of the President, forty-four. A war with 
England was contidently expected, and the President 
cruised along our coast, in readiness for war, from 



376 IN THE MERCHANT SERVICE. 

July, 1809, till the foTlowing spring, when, as there 
appeared a likelihood of an amicable adjustment of 
difficulties with England, Bainbridge engaged again 
in the merchant service, and sailed for St. Peters- 
burgh. 

On his way, he was taken by a Danish cruiser, 
and conveyed into Copenhagen. His friend, Mr. 
Nissen, was with him in a short time, and his ex- 
ertions soon procured the release of Bainbridge's 
vessel. It is mentioned, as a remarkable coincidence, 
that at the moment the ex-consul was apprised of 
Bainbridge's arrival, he was actually employed in 
unpacking a silver urn, which he had just received 
from the officers of the Philadelphia, as a testimony 
of their gratitude for his former kindness. 

Bainbridge, shortly after, sailed up the Baltic, and 
continued in this trade till the action bet^veen the 
British vessel Little Belt, and his late ship, the Pre- 
sident; on the news of which he crossed to the At- 
lantic coast over land, — a distance of eleven hundred 
miles. During this journey, he was driven, through 
the carelessness of the coachman, over a precipice of 
thirty feet, and though severely bruised, his persever- 
ing spirit enabled him to reach Gotheburg, (Decem- 
ber 20th.) On the 31st, he sailed for England, and 
twice in the course of the voyage, his energy and 
presence of mind, in moments of danger, saved the 
English vessel in which he sailed, and the lives of 
his fellow passengers from impending destruction. 
He delivered despatches to the American minister in 
London, set sail for Boston, and arrived there early 
in February, whence he hastened to Washington, 
and reported himself as ready for active service. 



COMMANDS THE CONSTITUTION. 377 

But the cabinet decided against placing our few 
vessels of war in contest with the powerful navy of 
Britain ; and it was not until Captain Bainbridge and 
Commodore Stewart had represented in forcible lan- 
guage the evil effects that would result from such a 
course of proceeding, that their former decision was 
countermanded, and our men of war permitted to 
cruise. Having effected this grand object, Bain- 
bridge returned to Boston, and took charge of the 
navy yard at Charlestown. 

The United States declared war against Great 
Britain on the 18th of June, 1812, and it is not to be 
supposed that one so adventurous as Bainbridge 
could be satisfied to remain on shore, comparatively 
inactive, when danger and glory were to be courted 
on the sea. He applied for the command of a frigate, 
and was appointed to the Constellation, thirty-eight, 
with orders to prepare her for sea with all despatch. 
His arrangements were not yet completed, when 
Captain Hull arrived in Boston with the Constitu- 
tion, after achieving his splendid victory over the 
Guerriere. As Hull was obliged to resign his com- 
mand, on account of some private affairs which re- 
quired his immediate attention, Bainbridge requested 
to be transferred to his frigate. This request was 
complied with, and the Essex and Hornet being also 
placed under his orders at the same time, he hoisted 
his broad pennant on board the Constitution, Sep- 
tember 15th, 1812. 

The Essex, then in the Delaware, was ordered to 

rendezvous at the Cape de Verde isles ; but she was 

prevented by the events of the cruise from joining the 

rest of the squadron. The Constitution and Hornet 

3 B 32* 



378 CAPTURE OF THE JAVA. 

sailed on the 26th October, and arrived off St. Sal- 
vador on the 13tli December. On the 29th, in lati- 
tude 13°, C south, and about ten leagues from the 
coast of Brazil, the Constitution fell in with an 
enemy's frigate, the Java, bound for the East Indies, 
with a number of supernumerary officers and seamen 
for the Bombay station. The Commodore, finding 
the frigate fairly within his reach, prepared with 
alacrity for action. The stranger showed English 
colours, and bore down with the intention of raking 
the Constitution. Bainbridge avoided this, and the 
enemy having hauled down colours, and left flying a 
jack only, the Commodore gave orders to fire ahead 
of the enemy to make him show full colours. This 
was returned with a full broadside, and a general 
action commenced, both ships striving to rake and to 
avoid being raked. 

Soon after the commencement of the action, Bain- 
bridge received a ball in the hip ; and a few minutes 
later a shot carried away the wheel, and drove a small 
bolt with violence into his thigh. These injuries did 
not induce him to sit down, and he continued on 
deck, giving orders, until eleven o'clock at night. The 
action lasted an hour and fifty-five minutes, when the 
enemy struck her flag, and the American Commodore 
sent Lieutenan|; Parker to take possession. The 
Java was commanded by Captain Lambert, a distin- 
guished officer, who was mortally wounded, and died 
a few days after the battle. The enemy's loss was 
not less than sixty killed and one hundred wounded. 
The Constitution lost nine killed, and twenty-five 
wounded. The two vessels presented a striking con- 
trast in appearance, at the close of the action : the 



RETURN TO BOSTON. 381 

Constitution " actually coming out of the battle as 
she had gone into it, with royal-yards across, and 
every spar, from the highest to the lowest, in its 
place," though some of them were considerably in- 
jured ; while the Java lay upon the water an unma- 
nageable wreck, with every spar shot away, and but a 
few stumps left standing. Bainbridge displayed great 
kindness in the treatment of his prisoners, and having 
destroyed his prize, he landed his captives at St. 
Salvador, on parole of honour not to engage in hos- 
tilities against the United States, until exchanged. 

The Constitution soon returned home for repairs, 
and Bainbridge entered Boston harbour in triumph, 
as cordially greeted for his present successes, as he 
had formerly been sympathized with for his misfor- 
tunes. He resumed the command of the Charles- 
town yard ; and remained in this office till the fitting 
out of a squadron for the Mediterranean, in the 
spring of 1815. This squadron was taken out by 
Decatur, to act against the Dey of Algiers; and 
Bainbridge, who followed as chief commandant, did 
not arrive until the war had been brought to a suc- 
cessful close: but in the course of the cruise, the 
latter settled several difficulties with the states of 
Barbary. He had under his command eighteen or 
twenty cruisers, being a larger naval force than had 
ever before sailed under our flag. 

Bainbridge continued to reside at Boston until 

1819, when he performed the last piece of duty afloat, 
in another cruise in the Mediterranean, being his 
fifth. He sailed in the Columbus, eighty, in April, 

1820, the principal object of the cruise being to im- 
press the nations on the coast with an idea of the 



382 DEATH OF BAINBKIDGE. 

strength of our navy, and the necessity of respecting 
the rights of the republic. Having effected this ob- 
ject, visited the Barbary powers, and spent some time 
at Naples, he was relieved by Commodore Jones, 
and returned home. 

The remaining years of his life were spent in ac- 
tive service on land. He commanded at Charlestown 
and at Philadelphia; he served for three years at the 
head of the Board of Navy Commissioners, at Wash- 
ington ; and having, finally, been obliged to give up 
his command at Boston, owing to the decline of his 
health, and the* severity of the climate, he returned 
to Philadelphia, in March, 1832, with a constitution 
broken down by disease. He lingered on till the 
28th of July, when he calmly yielded up his spirit to 
its Giver, at the age of fifty-seven years, two months 
and twenty-one days. His intellect remained unim- - 
paired, till an hour or two before his death, when it 
occasionally wandered. He called for his pistols 
about this time, and as this demand was not complied 
with, he raised his once noble frame in his bed, and 
vehemently demanding these instruments, ordered all 
hands to be called to board the enemy ! 

A biographer thus portrays his personal appear- 
ance and character : 

" Commodore Bainbridge was a man of fine and 
commanding personal appearance. His stature w^as 
about six feet, and his frame was muscular and of 
unusually good proportions. His face was handsome, 
particularly in youth, and his eye uncommonly ani- 
mated and piercing. In temperament he was ardent 
and sanguine ; but cool in danger, and of a courage 
of proof His feelings were vehement, and he was 



CHARACTER OF BAINBRIDGE. 



383 



qmckly roused; but generous and brave, he was 
easily appeased. Like most men who are excitable, 
but who are firm at bottom, he was calmest m the 
moments of greatest responsibility. He was hosp^a- 
ble, chivalrous, magnanimous, and a fast friend His 
discipline was severe, but he tempered it with much 
consideration for the wants and health of his crews. 
Few served with him who did not love him,-for 
the conviction that his heart was right was general 
among all who knew him. There was a cordiality 
and warmth in his manner, that gained him friends 
and those who knew him best, say he had the art ol 
, . ,, «*»«** To his dying 

keeping them. * « « « J o 

hour, Bainbridge continued the warm-hearted fnend 
the chivalrous gentleman, and the devoted lover of 
his country's honour and interests." 




CHARLES STEWART. 





ability and eminent ser- 
vices of Commodore Stewart 
have not only placed him in 
a very elevated rank among 
the naval commanders of tlie 
United States, but have been 
^^ considered by many of his 
fellow citizens, as giving him a claim to the highest 
mark of their confidence which their suffrages can 
confer. Whatever difference of opinion may exist 
as to the fitness of the commodore for civil stations, 
it is certain that his abilities have always been found 
equal to the occasion which called them forth, either 
upon the land, or upon his favourite field, the ocean. 
Charles Stewart was born in the city of Phila- 
delphia, on the twenty-eighth day of July, 1778, the 
month after the British army evacuated the city. 
His parents were natives of Ireland. It was his mis- 
fortune to lose his father before he had attained his 
second year. He was the youngest of eight children. 
On the death of his father, his mother was left, in 
the midst of the revolution, with four children to 

384 



COMMANDS THE EXPERIMENT. 385 

provide for, and with limited means for their support 
and education. Being, however, a woman of talents 
and great energy, she was not found wanting in this 
arduous task. 

At the age of thirteen, Charles sought and found 
employment in the merchant service, in which he 
rose, through the several grades, from the situation 
of cabin boy, to the command of an Indiaman; and 
here, in the full tide of successful mercantile enter- 
prise, he relinquished all that he had toiled for, and 
offered himself to the service of his country. On 
the ninth of March, 1798, he was commissioned 
lieutenant in the navy of the United States, and 
received orders to join the frigate United States, 
then in command of Commodore John Barry. He 
continued in this ship until July, 1800. Part of this 
time the frigate was employed in the West Indies, to 
look after and restrain the French privateers, and to 
protect our commerce against their depredations, in 
which service she was eminently successful. In the 
latter part of the year the frigate was engaged in 
transporting the commissioners for treating with 
France to that country, and was thus deprived of 
the opportunity which, under other circumstances, 
might have led to other and higher honours. 

On the sixteenth of July, 1800, Lieutenant Stewart 
was appointed to the command of the United States' 
schooner Experiment, of twelve guns, in which he 
sailed on a cruise to the West Indies. Having 
arrived on the station assigned him, on the night of 
September the 1st, he^fell in with the French armed 
schooner Deux Amis, of eight guns, and brought her 
to action, which terminated in ten minutes ; the 
3C 33 



3S6 EXPERIMENT AND DIANA. 

Deux Amis having struck her colours, she was sent 
to the United States for condemnation. Cruising 
under the Ice of Barbuda, at daylight on the thirtieth 
of September, two sails were discovered, bearing 
down on the Experiment, with all sail set, and Eng- 
lish colours hoisted. The Experiment continued 
lying to, with the British signal of the day Hying, 
until they approached within gun-shot, when, finding 
one to be a brig of war of eighteen guns, and the 
other a three-masted schooner of fourteen guns, and 
that they would not answer the signal, Lieutenant 
Stewart determined to retreat from such superior 
force, and avail himself of any opportunity that might 
offer for cutting off one of those vessels. It was soon 
discovered that the Experiment could outsail them, 
and after a fruitless chase of two hours, on the wind, 
they gave up the pursuit, hoisted French colours, 
fired a gun of defiance to windward, and kept their 
vessels off before the wind. He, being now satisfied 
of their character and force, manoeuvred to gain their 
wake to windward, and thus became the pursuing 
vessel in his turn. Sail was crowded on the Experi- 
ment, and at about eight o'clock at night she came 
up with the three-masted schooner, and taking a 
position on her larboard quarter, poured in a broad- 
side ; in a few minutes the enemy struck her colours, 
and surrendered to the Experiment. She proved to 
be the French national schooner Diana, commanded 
by Captain Perandeau; having on board Lieutenant 
de Vaisscau, with a detachment of thirty invalid sol- 
diers, and a crew of sixty-five men, also General 
Rigaud, on his way to France, under the convoy of 
the brig "yf war, which made her escape, and got into 



ANOTHER ACTION. 387 

Saint Bartholomew. The prize was despatched to 
the United States, under command of Lieutenant 
James R. Caldwell, and was restored to the French 
under an article of the treaty; but the captors were 
never compensated by the government for this vessel, 
as others were in many cases. 

After disposing of the prisoners at St. Christopher, 
Lieutenant Stewart continued on his cruising ground, 
and recaptured a number of American vessels which 
had been taken by the French, and thus rescued a 
considerable amount of property from the grasp of 
their privateers. On the sixteenth of November, at 
midnight, he fell in with an armed vessel, and after 
repeatedly hailing and requesting her to heave to, 
that a boat might board her, for the purpose of 
ascertaining her character, and receiving no answer 
or other satisfaction, he determined to bring her to 
action. The vessel kept up a running fight with 
great spirit and determination, for forty minutes, 
when she became so cut up and crippled by the Ex- 
periment's fire, that she was obliged to strike and 
submit to be boarded. She proved to be the Louisa 
Bridgcr, of Bermuda, carrying eight nine-pounders, 
with a stout crew of Bermudians. She was so much 
injured that the officers and crew of the Experiment 
were occupied until three o'clock next day in repair- 
ing her damages. Having two shot through her 
bottom, she was almost in a sinking condition, and 
when Lieutenant Porter boarded her, was found to 
have four feet water in the hold. After putting her 
in the best repair which circumstances permitted. 
Lieutenant Stewart dismissed her on her cruise. The 
Experiment flad only one killed and two wounded 



388 RESCUE OF THE SHIPWRECKED. 

slightly. The wind, during the action, was strong 
and squally, and the Experiment careened so much, 
that Lieutenant Stewart, to enable his guns to be 
sufficiently depressed, found it necessary to cut three 
inch planks into short lengths, and put them under 
the trucks of the gun carriages, to raise the guns 
sufficiently from the lower port sills. 

On the return of the Experiment to St. Chris- 
topher, Commodore Truxtun ordered Lieutenant 
Stewart to proceed with a convoy from Martinique 
to the island of St. Thomas, and thence to Curacoa, 
to look for the United States' brig Pickering, and 
frigate Insurgent, but nothing could be heard of those 
vessels at that place ; they had both foun.dered in the 
equinoxial gale, with a store ship under their care, 
and all hands perished. On leaving Curacoa the 
Experiment was ordered to proceed to Norfolk. 

Standing in for the Mona passage, early in the 
morning, a vessel was discovered in distress, and 
beating on the reef ofif Saona Island. On nearing 
her, many persons were discovered to be on board. 
After anchoring the Experiment at a safe distance 
from the reef. Lieutenant Stewart despatched Lieu- 
tenant Porter with the boats to their relief, who, 
with much difficulty and danger from the breakers 
on the reef, succeeded in rescuing from destruction 
about sixty women and children, with seven men of 
the vessel's crew. They were the families of the 
most respectable inhabitants of St. Domingo, flymg 
from the siege of that city by the blacks. They had 
been on the rocks for two days, without any thing to 
eat or drink; and at the time of their rescue only a 
small portion of the quarter deck wat above water. 



IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 389 

After the sailors had recovered as much of the pro- 
perty as they could, by diving into the vessel's hold, 
the Experiment proceeded fo the city of St. Domingo 
with the rescued persons, where they were all landed 
the next day, and restored to their friends. Their 
gratitude was unbounded, and the Experiment was 
most liberally furnished, gratis, with every, refresh- 
ment the place afforded. The President of St. Do- 
mingo, Don Joaquin Garcia, wrote a letter of thanks 
to the President of the United States, (Mr. Jefferson,) 
commending in the highest terms the conduct of Lieu- 
tenant Stewart and his gallant crew on this occasion. 

On the arrival of the Experiment, in 1801, at 
Norfolk, she was sold out of the service, under the 
act of congress fixing the naval establishment. Lieu- 
tenant Stewart was amongst the thirty-six lieute- 
nants retained under that law, and was placed in 
charge of the frigate Chesapeake, in ordinarv, at 
Norfolk. 

In 1802, he joined the United States' frigate Con- 
stellation, as first officer of Captain Murray, who was 
ordered to the Mediterranean to blockade Tripoli, 
then at war with the United States. This was a 
short cruise of one year, and afforded no opportunity 
for distinction. On her return. Lieutenant Stewart 
was placed in comm.and of the brig Siren, then being 
built at Philadelphia, and received orders to superin- 
tend her equipment, which was effected in seven days 
after she was launched ; when she sailed for the 
Mediterranean to join the command of Commodore 
Preble. She was engaged in giving protection to 
our commerce by convoy, and conveying the consular 
presents to the Dey of Algiers. 

33* 



390 ARRIVAL OF COMMODORE PREBLE. 

Syracuse, in the island of Sicily, was the rendez- 
vous of the squadron. From that place the Siren 
was engaged in the expedition sent under Lieutenant 
Stewart to destroy the frigate Philadelphia, which 
had grounded off the harbour of Tripoli, and was 
surrendered to the Bashaw. Lieutenant Decatur 
was sent in the Intrepid, ketch, with seventy volun- 
teers, to board and burn the frigate, which he accom- 
plished in the most gallant manner ; and with the aid 
of the Siren's boats, under Lieutenant Caldwell, 
effected his retreat out of the harbour. After this 
successful expedition, the Siren, Lieutenant Stewart, 
with the Vixen, Enterprise, and Nautilus, all under 
his command, were employed in a rigid blockade of 
the city of Tripoli and adjacent harbours. During 
this blockade Lieutenant Stewart frequently led in 
the vessels of the blockade to the attack of the batte- 
ries and flotilla, to accustom the officers and men to 
the enemy's fire, and to force the Tripolitans to 
expend their ammunition ; and on one occasion, they 
attacked and destroyed two batteries which the 
enemy had erected to the westward of the city, for 
the protection of their coasting trade. 

On the 21st of July, 1804, Commodore Preble 
arrived off Tripoli with the frigate Constitution, 44, 
brig Argus, 18, brig Siren, 18, Scourge, schooner 
Vixen, 16, Enterprise, 14, two mortar vessels, and 
six gunboats; with these, in conjunction with the 
force above mentioned, he determined to attack the 
town, flotilla, and batteries of Tripoli. On the 3d 
of August, the wind proving favourable, at meridian 
the signal was made to prepare for battle, when the 
whole force, forming a line a-head, led on by the 



IN COMMAND OF THE ESSEX. 391 

Siren, Lieutenant Stewart, advanced to the attack, 
and when within reach of the enemy's fire, the gun- 
boats were cast off, and immediately boarded the 
gunboats of Tripoli, twenty of which were moored 
in a line, outside of the reef which formed the har- 
bour. Three of them were carried, and brought off 
under cover of the vessels of war, and added to the 
American squadron. Lieutenant Stewart for his 
gallant conduct on this occasion received the thanks 
of Commodore Preble, 

For his distinguished services throughout the 
blockade he was promoted to be master commandant, 
and placed in command of the frigate Essex, which 
vessel, after the conclusion of peace with Tripoli, 
proceeded with the rest of the squadron, commanded 
by Commodore Rodgers, to Tunis Bay, for the pur- 
pose of checking in that regency a rising disposition 
to commence hostilities on the flag and commerce of 
the United States. The hostile attitude of the 
squadron, while there, induced Mr. George Davis, 
consul of the United States, to leave the city, and 
seek refuge on board the fleet. The state of our 
affairs now drawing to a crisis so serious, it appeared 
to the consul general, Colonel Lear, that the flag 
officer ought to strengthen his acts with the advice 
and consent of his principal officers ; in consequence 
of which, the commander-in-chief called a council, 
consisting of Captains Campbell, Decatur, Stewart,* 
Hull, Smith, Dent, and Robinson, to whom the situa- 
tion of our affairs with the regency was explained, 
and the opinion of the officers demanded whether 
hostilities ought not immediately to commence. It 
was at this council that the opinion of Captain 



392 OPINION OF JEFFERSON. 

Stewart carried with it the assent of all the officers, 
and preserved the peace of the country with that 
regency. It was on receiving that opinion, as deli- 
vered in the council, transmitted by the consul gene- 
ral and the consul, Mr. Davis, to the President of 
the United States, that Mr. Jefferson expressed to 
his cabinet the high satisfaction he felt at having an 
officer in the squadron who so thoroughly compre- 
hended international law, the constitution of his 
country, and the policy of his government. On the 
termination of this affair with the regency of Tunis, 
Captain Stewart took command of the frigate Con- 
stellation, and returned to the United States. 

During part of the years 1806 and '7, Captain 
Stewart was employed in superintending the con- 
struction of gunboats at New York, and was after- 
wards engaged in prosecuting mercantile enterprises 
to the East Indies, the Mediterranean, and the 
Adriatic. On the declaration of war with Great 
Britain, in 1812, he proceeded, in conjunction with 
Commodore Bainbridge, to Washington, for the pur- 
pose of seeking service ; but on presenting themselves 
at the Navy Department, they were informed that it 
had been decided by the cabinet to place all the 
ships of war in the harbour of New York for its 
defence, and thus deprive the* marine of all oppor- 
tunity for distinguished service. But, on the 22d of 
•June, 1812, it was determined by the President, in 
conformity with the suggestions of these officers, that 
the ships should be sent to sea, and to sea they were 
forthwith ordered. Captain Stewart was appointed 
to the command of the brig Argus and the Hornet 
sloop of war. 



ESCAPE OF THE CONSTELLATION. 393 

In December he was appointed to the command of 
the frigate Constellation, then repairing at Washing- 
ton. Shortly after, she was equipped, and ready for 
sea, upon which occasion Captain Stewart gave a 
splendid entertainment on board that vessel, to all 
branches of government, and the citizens of the dis- 
trict. He now proceeded to Hampton Roads, prepa- 
ratory to going on a cruise; but unfortunately, the 
morning after anchoring there, he discovered the 
enemy approaching his anchorage with a superior 
force of two seventy-fours, three frigates, and several 
small vessels of war; he lost no time in preparing to 
retreat. It being calm with him, he commenced 
kedging his frigate towards Norfolk; the enemy's 
vessels approached rapidly with a fine breeze, which 
they fortunately lost off Willoughby's point, and 
they were in consequence of the ebb tide compelled 
to anchor. The Constellation was kedged up on the 
flats off Sowell's Point, where she lay aground the 
rest of the day ; Captain Stewart continued to press 
the river craft and lighten his vessel. In case the 
enemy, by kedging up their seventy-fours, or by 
means of a breeze, had reached his position, he was 
prepared for burning the Constellation; the night 
flood, however, made, when about eight o'clock his 
ship floated, sail was made on her with a fine breeze, 
boats with lights and pilots were sent to point out 
the shoals, and at eleven o'clock, P. M., the Constel- 
lation was safely moored between forts Norfolk and 
Nelson, where she afterwards contributed to defend 
that place, and with her cannon and her crew 
repulsed the enemy's attack on Craney Island, and 
3D 



*V- 



394 CAPTURE OF CYANE AND LEVANT. 

defeated the expedition sent to capture Norfolk and 
its dependencies. 

In the summer of 1813, Captain Stewart was 
ordered to assume the command of the frigate Con- 
stitution, then undergoing repairs at Boston. In 
December following he proceeded on a cruise. After 
exhibiting that ship on the coasts of Georgia and 
South Carolina, and about the Bermuda Islands, &c. 
and destroying the Picton of sixteen guns, a merchant 
ship of ten guns, the brig Catherine, and schooner 
Phoenix, he chased several British ships of war, and 
the frigate La Pique, in the Mona passage, without 
being able to overtake any of them, in consequence of 
the worn out state of the sails of the Constitution. 
Captain Stewart determined to return to Boston, and 
replace them ; in April the Constitution arrived at 
Marblehead, in Massachusetts, having with great 
difficulty escaped from the British frigates, the Junon, 
and La Nymphe, of fifty guns each. 

In December, the Constitution proceeded on an- 
other cruise, having been refitted with great care, and 
furnished with new sails. On the 24>ih, he captured 
and destroyed, to the eastward of the Bermudas, the 
brig Lord Nelson; otf Lisbon he captured the ship 
Susan, with a valuable cargo, and sent her to New 
York; and on the 20th of February, 1815, after a 
sharp conflict of forty minutes, he captured the British 
ships of war, the Cya7ie of thirty-four guns, and the 
Levant of twenty-one guns, having three men killed, 
and thirteen wounded, the British ships having in all 
thirty-five killed, and forty-two wounded. 

Captain Stewart proceeded with these prizes to 
the Island of St. J ago, with a view to divest his ship 



RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES. 397 

of the numerous prisoners, consisting of the officers, 
seamen, and marines of both ships of the enemy, 
amounting to nearly four hundred. While making 
arrangements for despatching them at Port Praya, 
for Barhadoes, the British squadron, consisting of 
the ships of war the Acasta of fifty guns, the New 
Castle of sixty-four guns, and the Leander of sixty- 
four guns, under the command of Sir George Collier, 
reached his position under cover of a thick fog. Not- 
withstanding their near approach. Captain Stewart 
determined to retreat, and immediately the Constitu- 
tion and her prizes cut their cables and crowded 
sail to escape. He was fortunate in being able, by 
his skilful management and manoeuvres, to save from 
their grasp his favourite frigate Constitution, and the 
Cyane; the Levant was captured by the squadron 
and sent to Barhadoes 

After this escape, he proceeded with the Constitu- 
tion to Maranham, in the Brazils, and landed the 
prisoners, refreshed his crew, refitted his vessel, and 
returned to Boston, where he and his officers were 
received with the usual courtesies by their fellow 
citizens. 

On his way through New York, the common 
council honoured Captain Stewart with the freedom 
of their city, in a gold box, and extended towards 
him and his officers the courteous hospitalities of 
that city, by a public dinner. On his arrival in 
Philadelphia, the legislature of his native State 
(Pennsylvania) voted him their thanks, and directed 
his excellency the governor to cause a gold-hilted 
sword to be presented to Captain Stewart, in testi- 
mony of their sense of his distinguished merits in 

34 



398 TKE GOLD MEDAL. 

captiiring the British ships of war of superior force, 
the Cyane, and the Levant. On the meeting of con- 
gress, the assembled representatives of the nation 
passed a vote of thanks to Captain Stewart, his 
officers, and crew; and resolved that a suitable gold 
medal, commemorative of that brilliant event, the 
capture of the two British ships of war, the Cyane 
and the Levant, by the Constitution, should be pre- 
sented to Captain Stewart, in testimony of the sense 
they entertained of his gallantry, and that of his 
officers, seamen and marines, under his command on 
that occasion. 

The war with Great Britain having terminated, 
the Constitution was put out of commission, and laid 
up in ordinary. In 1816, Captain Stewart was placed 
in command of the Franklin ship of the line, of 
seventy-four guns, and in 1817, she was fitted out at 
Philadelphia as the flag ship of Commodore Stewart, 
who was directed to take command of the American 
squadron in the Mediterranean sea. In November, 
1817, he sailed for England, to convey the Hon. 
Richard Rush as a minister to the court of St. 
James, who was landed there in the latter part of 
December, after which the Franklin proceeded to 
the Mediterranean, and Commodore Steward took 
command of the forces of the United States in that 
sea. In this station he preserved the glory of his 
former exploits, and the honour of his country. He 
was placed in a situation which calls forth an energy 
and address that few men are fortunate enough to 
combine. 

In 18.20, the Franklin returned to the United 
States, and remained in ordinary until the following 



PUBLIC DINNEK. 399 

year, when she was again fitted for service in the 
Pacific, and Commodore Stewart was placed in com- 
mand. This post, owing t*o the state of affairs in the 
South American provinces, called for the exercise 
of great discretion and prudence in giving protection 
to his fellow citizens, their cornmerce and their pro- 
perty, while, at the same time, he had to guard against 
the representations of malignant enemies. In these 
trying circumstances the commodore adopted that 
line of conduct which patriotism, duty and honour 
alone could point out. 

On returning to the country he had so nobly served, 
Commodore Stewart was subject to a degrading ar- 
rest for one year, and to the costs of an expensive 
court martial. An acquittal, more honourable than 
the records of any naval tribunal can furnish, was the 
result accorded him, under the oath of twelve of his 
brother officers, distinguished for their patriotism, 
valour, experience, and fidelity to their country. On 
his return from Washington, where his trial took 
place, to Philadelphia, his friends greeted him with a 
public dinner in approbation of his services in the 
Pacific. From 1825 to 1830, he was variously en- 
gaged in appropriate duties, such as examining mid- 
shipmen, and sitting on court martials. 

In August, 1830, he was appointed a member of 
the Board of Navy Commissioners at Washington, 
where he remained until August, 1833, he then retired 
to his farm in New Jersey. In July, 1836, Commo- 
dores Stewart, Dallas and Bolton were appointed 
commissioners to prepare plans for the improvement 
of the navy yard at Pensacola. 

On the 1st of July, 1837, Commodore James 



400 LAUNCH OF THE PENNSYLVANIA. 

Barron resigned the command of the navy yard at 
Philadelphia, and Commodore Stewart was placed in 
command of that station? By the most .strenuous 
exertions, Commodore Stewart succeeded in launch- 
ing the line-of-battle ship Pennsylvania, on the 18th 
of July. This ship, the largest and most magnificent 
in point of model and construction now alioat, was 
ordered by the Secretary of the Navy to be removed 
from Philadelphia to Norfolk, to be coppered, and 
Commodore Stewart was appointed to equip and 
take her to that place for the purpose. Since that 
period he has been engaged, as usual, in various ser- 
vices, requiring the ability and experience of a first 
rate commander. 

Commodore Stewart is about five feet nine inches 
in height, erect and well proportioned, of a dignified 
and engaging presence, and possessed of great con- 
stitutional powers to endure hardships and privations 
of all kinds. Although sixty-five years of age, he is 
still as active as if he were but in the prime of life. 
His complexion is fair, but it bears the weather- 
beaten marks of naval service. His hair is of a chest- 
nut colour; his eyes blue, large, penetrating, and in- 
telligent. The cast of his countenance is Roman, 
bold, strong, and commanding, and his head finely 
formed. Hp possesses great vigor of mind, a high 
sense of justice, and inflexible resolution of purpose. 
His mind is acute and powerful, grasping the greatest 
or smallest subjects with the intuitive mastery of 
genius. He not only fully understands his profession 
as a naval commander, but all the various interests of 
commerce, the foreign and domestic policy of his 
country, the principles of government, and the " law 



CHARACTER OF STEWART. 



401 



of nations," are as familiar to him as " household 
words." His control over his passions is truly sur- 
prising; and under the most irritating circumstances, 
his oldest seamen have never yet seen a ray of anger 
flash from his eye. His kindness, benevolence and 
humanity are proverbial amongst those who know 
him; but his sense of justice and of the requisitions 
of duty are as unbending as fate. 




E 



34* 




DAVID PORTER. 




AVID PORTER, tne eldest son of 
Captain David Porter, was born in 
Boston, on the 1st February, 1780. His father was 
an officer in our navy during the revolutionary war, 
and distinguished himself on various occasions by his 
activity,' enterprise and daring spirit. Being neces- 
sarily absent from home for the greater part of his time, 
the charge of his infant family devolved almost entirely 
on his wife. She was a pious and intelligent woman, 

402 



EARLY LIFE. 403 

the friend and instructer of her children, teaching 
them not merely by her precepts, but by her amiable 
and virtuous example. Soon after the conclusion of 
the war, Captain Porter removed with his household 
to Baltimore, where he took command of the revenue 
cutter the Active. Here, in the bosom of his family, 
he would indulge in the veteran's foible of recounting 
past scenes of peril and adventure, and talking over 
the wonders and vicissitudes that chequer a seafaring 
life. Little David would sit for hours and listen and 
kindle at these marvellous tales; while his father, per- 
ceiving his own love of enterprise springing up in the 
bosom of the lad, took every means to cherish it and 
to inspire him with a passion for the sea. He at the 
same time gave him all the education and instruction 
that his limited means afforded, and being afterwards 
in command of a vessel in the West India trade, 
proposed to take him a voyage by way of initiating 
him into the Hfe of a sailor. The constitution of the 
latter being feeble and delicate excited all the appre- 
hensions of a tender mother, who remonstrated, with 
maternal solicitude, against exposing the puny strip- 
ling to the dangers and hardships of so rude a life. 
Her objections, however, were either obviated or 
overruled, and at the age of sixteen he sailed with 
his father for the West Indies, in the schooner Eliza. 
While at the port of Jeremie, in the island of St. 
Domingo, a press-gang endeavoured to board the 
vessel in search of men; they were bravely repelled, 
with the loss of several killed and wounded on both 
sides; one man was shot down close by the side of 
young Porter. This affair excited considerable atten- 
tion at the time. A narrative appeared in the public 



404 ENTERS THE NAVY. 

papers, and much praise was awarded to Captain 
Porter for the gallant vindication of his flag. 

In the course of his second voyage, which he per- 
formed as mate of a ship, from Baltimore to St. Do- 
mingo, young Porter had a further taste of the 
vicissitudes of a sailor's life. He was twice im- 
pressed by the British, and each time effected his 
escape, but was so reduced in purse as to be obliged 
to work his passage home in the winter season, 
destitute of necessary clothing. In this forlorn con 
dition, he had to perform duty on a cold and stormy 
coast, where every spray was converted instantane- 
ously into a sheet of ice. It would appear almost in- 
credible that his feeble frame, little inured to hardship, 
could have sustained so much, were it not known 
how greatly the exertions of the body are supported 
by mental excitement. Scarcely had he recovered 
from his late fatigues when he applied for admission 
into the navy; and on receiving a midshipman's war- 
rant, immediately joined the frigate Constellation. 
Commodore Truxton. In the action with the French 
frigate the Insurgent, Porter was stationed on the 
foretop, and distinguished himself by his good con- 
duct. Want of friends alone prevented his promo- 
tion at the time. When Commodore Barron was 
appointed to the command of the Constellation, 
Porter was advanced to the rank of lieutenant solely 
on account of his merit, having no friends or con- 
nexions capable of urging his fortunes. He was or- 
dered to join the United States' schooner Experi- 
ment Jinder Captain Maley, to be employed on the 
West India station. During the cruise they had a 
long and obstinate engagement with a number of 



CAPTURES A PRIVATEER. 405 

brigand barges in the Bite of Leogan, which afforded 
him another opportunity of bringing himself into 
notice. He was also frequently employed in boat 
expeditions to cut out vessels, in which he displayed 
much coolness and address. Commodore Talbot, 
who commanded on that station, gave him charge of 
the Amphitrite, a small pilot boat prize schooner, 
mounting five small swivels taken from the tops of 
the Constellation, and manned with fifteen hands. 
Not long after taking this command he fell in with a 
French privateer, mounting a long twelve pounder 
and several swivels, having a crew of forty men, and 
accompanied with a prize ship and a large barge, with 
thirty men armed with swivels. Notwithstanding 
the great disparity of force, Porter ordered his vessel 
to be laid alongside the privateer. The contest was 
arduous, and for some time doubtful, for in the com- 
mencement of the action he lost his rudder, which 
rendered the schooner unmanageable. The event, 
however, excused the desperateness of the attack, for 
after an obstinate and bloody resistance, the priva- 
teer surrendered with the loss of seven killed and 
fifteen wounded. Not a man of Porter's crew was 
killed; several, however, were wounded, and his ves- 
sel was much injured. The prize was also taken, 
but the barge escaped. The conduct of Lieutenant 
Porter in this gallant little affair was highly applauded 
by his commander. 

Shortly after his return to the United States he 
sailed as first lieutenant in the Experiment, com- 
manded by Captain Charles Stewart. They were 
again stationed in the West Indies, and afforded 
great protection to the American commerce in that 



4G6 ON THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION. 

quarter. They had several engagements with French 
privateers, and were always successful, insomuch 
that they became the terror of those marauders of 
the ocean, and effectually controlled their rapacity 
and kept them quiet jn port. The gallant and la- 
mented Trippe was second lieutenant of the Experi- 
ment at the time. 

When the first squadron was ordered for the 
Mediterranean, Porter sailed as first lieutenant of 
the schooner Enterprise, Captain Stewart. In this 
cruise they encountered a Tripolitan corsair, of very 
superior force; a severe battle ensued, in which the 
enemy suffered great slaughter, and was compelled 
to surrender, while our ship received but little injury. 

In this brilliant action Porter acquired much re- 
putation from the conspicuous part he acted. He 
afterwards served on board of different ships in the 
Mediterranean station, and distinguished himself by 
his intrepidity and zeal whenever an opportunity 
presented. On one occasion he commanded an ex- 
pedition of boats sent to destroy some vessels laden 
with wheat, .at anchor in the harbour of old Tripoli; 
the service was promptly and effectually performed ; 
in the engagement he received a musket ball through 
his left thigh. 

Shortly after recovering from his wound he was 
transposed from the New York to the Philadelphia, 
Captain Bainbridge, as first lieutenant. The frigate 
was then lying at Gibraltar, w^hen he joined her in 
September, 1803. She soon after sailed for the 
blockade of Tripoli. No event took place worthy 
of mention until the 31st of October. Nearly a 
w^eek previous to this ill-fated day, the weather had 



CAPTIVITY. 407 

been tempestuous, which rendered it prudent to keep 
the ship off the land. 

The 31st opened with all the splendour of a Sici- 
lian morning : the promise of a more delightful day 
never appeared. The land was just observed, when 
a sail was descried making for the harbour, with a 
pleasant easterly breeze. It was soon ascertained to 
be an armed ship of the enemy, and all sail was set 
in chase. After an ineffectual pursuit of several 
leagues, Captain Bainbridge had just given orders to 
haul off, when the frigate grounded. Every expe- 
dient that skill or courage could devise to float or 
defend her, was successively resorted to, but in vain. 
The particulars of this unfortunate affair are too 
generally known to need a minute recital ; it is suf- 
ficient to add that this noble ship and her gallant 
crew were surrendered to a barbarous and dastardly 
enemy, whose only motive in warfare is the hope of 
plunder. Throughout the long and dreary confine- 
ment which ensued, in the dungeons of Tripoli, 
Porter never suffered himself for a moment to sink 
into despondency ; but supported the galling indigni 
ties and hardships of his situation with equanimity 
and even cheerfulness. A seasonable supply of books 
served to beguile the hours of imprisonment, and 
enabled him even to turn them to advantage. He 
closely applied himself to the study of ancient and 
modern history, biography, the French language, and 
drawing; in which art, so useful to a seaman, he 
made himself a considerable proficient. He also 
sedulously cultivated the theory of his profession, 
and improved the junior officers by his frequent 
instructions; representing the manoeuvres of fleets in 



408 CAPTIVITY. 

battle by means of small boards ingeniously arranged. 
He was active in promoting any plan of labour or 
amusement that could ameliorate the situation or 
dispel the gloomy reflections of his companions. By 
these means captivity was robbed of its heaviest 
evils, that dull monotony that wearies the spirits, and 
that mental inactivity that engenders melancholy and 
hypochondria. An incident which occurred during 
his confinement deserves to be mentioned, as being 
highly creditable to Lieutenant Porter. Under the 
rooms occupied by the officers was a long dark 
passage, through which the American sailors, who 
were employed in public labour, frequently passed to 
different parts of the castle. Their conversation 
being repeatedly heard as they passed to and fro, 
some one made a small hole in the wall to communi- 
cate with them. For some days a constant inter- 
course was kept up, by sending down notes tied to a 
string. Some persons, however, indiscreetly enter- 
ing into conversation with the seamen, were over- 
heard, and information immediately carried to the 
Bashaw. In a few minutes the bolts of the prison 
door were heard to fly back with unwonted violence, 
and Sassi (chief officer of the castle) rushed furiously 
in. His features were distorted, and his voice almost 
inarticulate with passion. He demanded in a vehe- 
ment tone by whom or whose authority the walls 
bad been opened; when Porter advanced with a firm 
step and composed countenance, and replied, " I 
alone am responsible." He was abruptly and rudely 
hurried from the prison, and the gate was again 
closed. His generous self-devotion, while it com- 
manded the admiration of his companions, heightened 



LIBERATION. 409 

their anxiety for his fate ; apprehending some act of 
violence from the impetuous temper and absolute 
power of the Bashaw. Their fears, however, were 
appeased by the return of Porter, after considerable 
detention ; having been dismissed without any further 
severity, through the intercession of the minister 
Mahomet Dghies, who had on previous occasions 
shown a friendly disposition towards the prisoners. 

It is unnecessary here to dwell on the various in- 
cidents that occurred in this tedious captivity, and 
of the many ingenious and adventurous plans of 
escape, devised and attempted by our officers, in all 
which Porter took an active and prominent part. 
When peace was at length made, and they were 
restored to light and liberty, he embarked with his 
companions for Syracuse, where a court of inquiry 
was held on the loss of the Philadelphia. After an 
honourable acquittal he was appointed to the com- 
mand of the United States' brig Enterprise, and soon 
after was ordered by Commodore Rodgers to proceed 
to Tripoli, with permission to cruise along the shore 
of Bengazi, and to visit the ruins of Septis Magna, 
anciently a Roman colony. He was accompanied in 
this expedition by some of his friends, and after a 
short and pleasant passage, anchored near the latter 
place. They passed three days in wandering among 
the mouldering remains of Roman taste and grandeur; 
and excavated in such places as seemed to promise a 
reward for their researches. A number of ancient 
coins and cameos were found, and, among other 
curiosities, were two statues in tolerable preserva- 
tion; the one a warrior, the other a female figure, of 
beautiful white marble and excellent workmanship. 
3F 35 



410 INTREPIDITY. 

Verde antique pillars, of large size, formed of a single 
piece, and unbroken, were scattered along the shores. 
Near the harbour stood a lofty and elegant building, 
of which Lieutenant Porter took a drawing. The 
awning under which the party dined was spread on 
the site, ond among the fallen columns of a temple 
of Jupiter; and a zest was given to the repast, by 
the classical ideas awakened by surrounding objects. 

While Porter was in command of the Enterprise, 
and at anchor in the port of Malta, an English sailor 
came alongside and insulted the officers and crew 
by abusive language. Captain Porter overhearing 
the scurrilous epithets he vociferated, ordered a 
boatswain's mate to seize him and give him a flogging 
at the gangway. This well-merited chastisement ex- 
cited the indignation of the governor of Malta, who 
considered it a daring outrage, and gave orders that 
the forts should not permit the Enterprise to depart. 
No sooner was Captain Porter informed of it, than 
he got his vessel ready for action, weighed anchor, 
and with lighted matches and every man at his sta 
tion, with the avowed determination of firing the 
town if attacked, sailed between the batteries and 
departed unmolested. 

Shortly after this occurrence, in passing through 
the Straits of Gibraltar, he was attacked by twelve 
Spanish gunboats, who either mistook or pretended 
to mistake his vessel for a British brig. As soon, 
however, as he was able to near them, they were as- 
sailed with such rapid and well directed volleys as 
quickly compelled them to shear off. This affair 
took place in sight of Gibraltar, and in presence of 
several ships of the British navy; it was, therefore, a 



COMMANDS THE ESSEX. 411 

matter of notoriety, and spoken of in terms of the 
highest applause. 

After an absence of five years, passed in unremitted 
and arduous service, Captain Porter returned to the 
United States, and shortly after was married to Miss 
Anderson, daughter of the member of congress from 
Pennsylvania. Being appointed to the command of 
the flotilla, on the New Orleans station, he dis- 
charged, with faithfulness and activity, the irksome 
duty of enforcing the embargo and non-intercourse 
laws. He likewise performed an important service 
to his country, by ferreting out and capturing a 
pirate, a native of France, who, in a small well-armed 
schooner, had for some time infested the Chesapeake ; 
and who, growing bolder by impunity, had committed 
many acts of depredation, until his maraudings be- 
came so serious as to attract the attention of go- 
vernment. 

While commanding on the Orleans station, the 
father of Captain Porter died, an officer under his 
command. He had lived to see his wish fulfilled, 
in beholding his son a skilful and enterprising sailor, 
rising rapidly in his profession, and in the estimation 
of his country. 

The climate of New Orleans disagreeing with the 
health of Captain Porter and his family, he solicited 
to be ordered to some other station, and was, accord- 
ingly, appointed to the command of the Essex frigate. 

At the time of the declaration of war against Eng- 
land, the Essex was undergoing repairs at New 
York, and the celerity with which she was fitted for 
sea reflected great credit on her commander. On 
the 3d of July, 1812, he sailed from Sandy Hook on 



412 CAPTURES THE ALERT, &c. 

a cruise, which was not marked by any incident of 
consequence, excepting the capture of the British 
sloop of war Alert, Captain Langhorne. Either 
undervaluing the untried prowess of our tars, or 
mistaking the force of the Essex, she ran down on 
her weather quarter, gave three cheers, and com- 
menced an action. In a few minutes she struck her 
colours, being cut to pieces, with three men wounded, 
and seven feet water in her hold. To relieve himself 
from the great number of prisoners, taken in this and 
former prizes. Captain Porter made a cartel of the 
Alert, with orders to proceed to St. Johns, New- 
foundland, and thence to New York. She arrived 
safe, being the first ship of war taken from the 
enemy, and her flag the first British flag sent to the 
seat of government during the war of 1812.* 

Captain Porter, after the refitting of his ship, sailed 
from the Delaware on the 27th of October, 1812. He 
shaped his course for the coast of Brazil, where, 
according to arrangements with Commodore Bain- 
bridge, several places were appointed for rendezvous. 
During his cruise in that quarter he captured his 
Britannic majesty's packet ship Nocton, from which 
he took about 11,000 pounds sterling in specie, and 
then despatched her for America. Upon hearing of 
the capture of the Java by Commodore Bainbridge, 
he was obliged to return to port, where he heard that 
the Hornet had been captured by the Montague, that 
the British force on the coast had been increased, and 
that several ships were in pursuit of him. Knowing 
that he occupied a hazardous place, he determined 

* Analectic Magazine. 



CAPTURE OF A CORSAIR. 413 

to abandon it, and accordingly he shaped his course 
southward, rounded Cape Horn, ofif which place he 
suffered greatly from the severity of the gales, and 
proceeded into the Pacijfic Ocean. From the want 
of provision it became necessary to put into some 
port. Accordingly he ran into Valparaiso, where he 
arrived on the 14th of March, 1813. 

Having obtained a sufficient quantity of provision, 
he coasted the shores of Chili and Peru and met 
with a Peruvian corsair, that had captured two 
whaling ships on the coast of Chili and had on board 
the crews of the two ships, as prisoners, consisting 
of twenty-four Americans. The commander of the 
corsair attempted to justify his conduct by alleging 
himself to be an ally of Great Britain and expecting 
a war between Spain and the United States. Captain 
Porter, finding that he determined to persist in his 
aggressions, lightened him of his armament by throw- 
ing it into the sea, released the prisoners, and then 
directed a polite letter to the viceroy, in which he 
gave his reasons for so doing, which he delivered to 
the captain. Upon proceeding to the port of Lima 
he recaptured one of the American vessels as she 
was entering the port. 

He cruised for several months in the Pacific, 
making great havoc among the English traders, and 
was particularly destructive to those engaged in the 
spermaceti whale fishery. He took many with 
valuable cargoes; one of the captured vessels he 
retained as a store ship; he equipped her with twenty 
guns and called her the Essex Junior, appointing 
Lieutenant Downes as commander, while some of 
the others were given up to the prisoners, some sent 

35* 



414 OPERATJOJNS IN THE PACIFIC. 

to Valparaiso and laid up, and three sent to America. 
Captain Porter, now having a little squadron under 
his command, became the terror of those seas. He 
gained from his prizes a sufficient supply of provi- 
sions, medicines, naval stores, clothing, and money; 
so that he was able to pay his officers and men with- 
out drawing on the government, and was able to 
remain at sea without sickness or inconvenience. 

From the extent of his depredations he spread 
alarm and anxiety throughout all the ports of the 
Pacific, and created great disturbance in those of 
Great Britain. The merchants trembled with appre- 
hension for the fate of their property, which was 
afloat on those waters, while the nation's pride was 
humbled, when it beheld a single frigate bearing the 
sceptre over the whole waters of the Pacific; in 
defiance to their numerous fleets, destroying their 
commerce and excluding their merchants from all 
western ports, and almost banishing the British flag 
from those climes where it had so long spread its 
folds to the breeze in proud predominance. The 
manner in which Captain Porter conducted his cruise 
baffled pursuit. Those who were sent in search of 
him were distracted by vague accounts, and were 
entirely unable to discover any traces by which they 
might be able to encounter him. Keeping in the 
open sea and touching only at those desolate islands 
which form the Gallipagos he left no traces by which 
he might be followed or discovered. Although he 
was deprived of all intelligence from land, and unable 
to gain any knowledge of home afiairs, he often 
received a correct account of his enemies from the 
various prizes which he had captured. Lieutenant 



AT THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. 415 

Downes having returned from conveying the prizes 
to Valparaiso, brought word of the expected arrival 
of Commodore Hillyar in the Phosbe frigate, rating 
thirty-six guns, accompanied by two sloops of war. 
Loaded with spoil, and sated with the easy and 
inglorious capture of merchantmen, Captain Porter 
desired to signalize his cruise by some brilliant vie 
tory, meeting the enemy on equal terms. 

From having remained at sea for such a length ot 
time some of the timbers were impaired and needed 
renewal, while the frigate required some other repairs 
to enable her to face the foe. For this purpose he 
repaired to the island of Nooaheevah, one of the 
Washington group, discovered by Captain Ingraham 
of Boston, accompanied by several of his prizes. The 
inhabitants in the vicinity of the harbour received 
Captain Porter with marks of friendship; and they 
supplied him with abundance of provision, with which 
the island abounded. Having calked and completely 
overhauled the ship, made her a new set of water casks, 
and taken on board a sufficient supply of provision 
for four months, from the prizes, which he secured 
under the guns of a battery erected for their protec- 
tion, he sailed for the coast of Chili on the 12th of 
December, 1813, leaving Lieutenant Gamble of the 
marines, with twenty-one men, in command of the 
battery, with orders to proceed to Valparaiso after a 
certain time. 

Having cruised off the coast of Chili with the 
expectation of meeting with Captain Hillyar, without 
success, he proceeded to the port of Valparaiso, with 
the hope of falling in with him there; and, if disap- 
pointed in this wish, he might be able to capture 



416 ARRIVAL OF THE PHCEBE AND CHERUB. 

some merchant ships which were expected from 
England. While lying in this port Captain Hillyar 
arrived, having long sought for the Essex, but with- 
out success, and having almost given up all hopes of 
ever meeting with her. He was accompanied by the 
sloop of war Cherub, which was strongly armed and 
manned. Contrary to Captain Porter's expectation, 
the Phoebe herself was far superior to the Essex. 
The united force of the Phoebe and Cherub amounted 
to eighty-one guns and 500 men. While the force of 
the Essex consisted of but forty-six guns, all of 
which, excepting six long twelves, were thirty-two 
pound carronades, only serviceable in close fighting. 
Her crew having been much reduced by the manning 
of prizes, amounted to but 255 men. The Essex 
Junior, being only intended as a store ship, carried 
but ten eighteen pound carronades and ten short 
sixes, with a complement of only 60 men. The 
Phoebe and Cherub, having been sent out expressly 
to search for and capture the Essex, were in prime 
order and good discipline, with picked crews, and 
hoisted flags bearing the motto, " God and our country, 
British sailors' best rights : traitors offend both." 

This was in opposition to the American motto of 
" Free trade and sailors' rights," and the latter part 
of it being suggested by error tenderly cherished, 
that our crews were composed of British seamen. In 
reply to this motto Captain Porter hoisted at his 
mizen: "God, our country, and liberty: tyrants 
offend them." On entering the port the Phoebe was 
brought into the power of Captain Porter, who, on 
account of the neutrality of the place, did not wish to 
take advantage of the exposed situation of his enemy. 



LEAVES THE PORT. 417 

This forbearance was acknowledged by Commodore 
Hillyar, and he gave his word of honour to observe 
like conduct while in port, which he accordingly 
followed for a time. 

On receiving a sufficient supply of provision on 
board, the Phoebe and Cherub went off the port, 
where they cruised for six weeks, keeping up a con- 
tinual blockade of Captain Porter ; who from the in- 
feriority of his number was unwilling to risk an action. 
After repeated endeavours, finding himself unable 
to bring the Phoebe into single action or into equal 
combat, or to provoke a challenge from Commodore 
Hillyar, he determined to put to sea. Finding after 
repeated trials that the Essex was a superior sailer 
to either of the enemy's ships, it was determined 
that he should let the enemy chase her off, and there- 
by give the Essex Junior a chance of escape. 

On the day following, the 28th of March, the wind 
began to blow from the south; the Essex having 
parted her larboard cable, dragged her starboard 
anchor out to sea. Having all sails set; and per- 
ceiving the enemy close in with the western side of 
the bay, and that there was a possibility of passing 
to windward and gaining the sea by superior sailing, 
Captain Porter determined to hazard the attempt. 
He took in his topgallant sails, and fitted up for the 
purpose, but unfortunately, on rounding the point, a 
heavy squall struck the ship, and bore away the main 
topmast, and threw the men who were aloft into the 
sea and drowned them. Both ships immediately 
gave chase, and Captain Porter finding that from the 
crippled state of his ship it would be unsafe to pro- 
ceed, determined to run into port again and repair 
3G 



418 COMMENCEMENT OF THE ACTION. 

damages. But finding it impossible to gain the com- 
mon anchorage which he had left, he put into a small 
bay about three quarters of a mile from the battery 
and to the leeward of it, on the east of the harbour, 
and dropped anchor within pistol shot of the shore. 
Supposing himself secure, he thought only of repair- 
ing the damages he had sustained, expecting that the 
enemy would respect the neutrality of the place. 
The wary and menacing approach of the enemy 
showed that they had a more important object in view 
than to exchange kindness with a generous enemy. 
Their instructions were to crush the noxious foe, 
that had been so destructive to the commerce of 
their country; and being furnished with a force com- 
petent to this service, and having the enemy once in 
their power, they had no desire to wave their supe- 
riority, and give him a chance to escape and continue 
his work of destruction. Displaying their motto flags 
and having jacks at all their masts' heads^ Captain 
Porter soon discovered the real danger of his situa- 
tion. With all despatch he prepared for action and 
endeavoured to get a spring on his cable ; but was 
unsuccessful, when at fifty-four minutes past 3 P. M. 
the enemy commenced the action. The Phoebe having 
laid herself under his stern and the Cherub on his 
starboard bow, the latter finding herself in a dan- 
gerous place and exposed to a hot fire, bore up, and 
ran under his stern also, where they both kept up a 
raking fire, to which Captain Porter was unable to 
make any effective return. He, however, succeeded 
three different times in getting springs on his cables, 
for the purpose of bringing his broadside to bear on 
the enemy; but they were as often shot away by the 



PROGRESS OF THE ACTION. 419 

excessive fire to which he was exposed. For defence 
against this tremendous attack he was obliged to rely 
on three long twelve pounders, which he had run out 
of the stern ports; and which were worked with such 
skill and bravery as in half an hour to do such injury 
to the enemy's ships as to compel him to haul off and 
repair losses. It was evidently the intention of Com- 
modore Hillyar to risk nothing from the daring cou- 
rage of his enemy, but to take her at as cheap a rate 
as possible. All his movements were calm and deli- 
berate, while the situation of Captain Porter was 
distressing ; surrounded by the killed and wounded, 
and from the crippled state of his ship unable to help 
himself, he lay awaiting the convenience of the enemy 
to renew the scene of slaughter without any hope of 
escape or retaliation. The brave crew of the Essex 
evinced their determination to hold out to the last by 
hoisting ensigns in their shattered rigging and jacks 
in different parts of the ship. The enemy having 
repaired, placed themselves on the starboard quarter 
of the Essex, and again commenced their work of 
destruction, out of reach of her carronades. Captain 
Porter saw there was no hope of injuring the enemy 
without bearing up and becoming the assailant \ and 
this he determined to do. From the shattered state 
of his rigging he was unable to raise any other sail 
than the flying jib, which he caused to be set, and 
having cut his cable he bore down upon the enemy 
with the intention of laying the Phoebe on board. 

He was now able to close with the enemy, when 
the firing on both sides was tremendous and destruc- 
tive. The Essex was in a truly deplorable condition; 
her deck was strewed with the dead and dying, her 



420 PROGRESS OF THE ACTION. 

cockpit filled with wounded ; she had been several 
times on fire and was in fact a total wreck; still a 
feeble hope sprung up that she might be victorious, 
from the circumstance of the Cherub being compelled 
to haul olf by her crippled state ; she, however, did 
not return to close action again, but kept up a distant 
firing with her long guns. The Phoebe also being 
seriously injured began to edge off and choose the 
distance which best suited her long guns. The Essex 
was unable, from her shattered state, to take advan- 
tage of single combat with the Phoebe, and for want 
of sail was unable to keep at close quarters with her. 
Both ships now kept up a tremendous and destructive 
fire, which made dreadful havoc among the crew of 
the Essex, many of whose guns were rendered use- 
less, while many had their whole crews destroyed, 
and one gun in particular was manned three times ; 
fifteen men were slain at it in the course of the action. 
Having lost all hope of closing with the enemy. Cap- 
tain Porter determined to run his ship on shore, land 
the crew, and destroy her. Having approached within 
musket shot of the shore, and with every prospect of 
succeeding, the wind shifted and bore her down upon 
the Phcebe, exposing her again to a dreadful and 
raking fire. The ship was now totally unmanageable ; 
but as her head was toward the enemy and he to 
leeward, Captain Porter conceived a faint hope of 
being able to board her. At this moment Lieutenant 
Downes of the Essex Junior came on board to receive 
orders, expecting that Captain Porter would soon be 
made prisoner. Finding from the enemy's putting 
his helm up, that the last attempt at boarding would 
not succeed, Captain Porter directed him to return 



PROGRESS OF THE ACTION. 421 

to his own ship and prepare for destroying or defend- 
ing her in case of attack. The Cherub kept up a hot 
fire on him during his return. The enemy still kept 
up a constant and destructive fire on the Essex, 
dealing death and destruction among her brave crew. 
Still her icommander persisted, determined to hold 
out in the unequal and almost hopeless conflict. 
Every expedient that a fertile and inventive mind 
could suggest was resorted to, that they might escape 
from the hands of the enemy. A halser was bent 
to the sheet anchor, and the anchor cut from the 
bows, to bring the ship's head around, and bring her 
broadside again to bear upon the enemy. This suc- 
ceeded; but, from the crippled state of the enemy, 
they were unable to hold their own, Captain Porter 
thought she might drift out of gunshot before she 
discovered that he had cast anchor. 

The halser unfortunately parted, and with it the 
last lingering hope of the Essex. At this moment 
the state of the Essex was lamentable. She was on 
fire both forward and aft, the flames bursting up the 
hatchway, her decks strewed with the mangled 
corpses of her brave crew, while many of her officers 
and men lay wounded in every part of the ship. A 
council of the officers of division having been called, 
Captain Porter was surprised to find only acting 
Lieutenant Stephen Decatur McKnight remaining, 
the rest having either been killed or wounded and 
carried below. In the mean time the enemy, in con- 
sequence of the smoothness of the water, lay secure 
at a distance, where she kept up a constant and 
destructive fire, aiming with coolness and certainty, 

hitting the hull at every shot. Captain Porter having 

36 



422 CAPTURE OF THE ESSEX. 

despaired of saving the ship, was compelled at twenty 
minutes past six P. M. to give the painful command 
to strike the colours. The enemy continued firing, 
and Captain Porter thinking he intended to show no 
quarter, was about to rehoist his flag and fight until 
he sunk, when they ceased their attack ten minutes 
after the surrender, in which time several men on 
board the Essex were killed. The loss of the Essex 
is a sufficient testimony of the desperate bravery 
with which she was defended. The general conduct 
of the officers and men bears ample testimony to 
their heroism. Out of 255 men which composed her 
crew, 58 were killed, 39 severely wounded, 21 slightly, 
and 31 missing, making in all 154. She was com- 
pletely cut to pieces, and so covered with the dead 
and dying, with mangled limbs, with brains and blood, 
and the ghastly forms of death, that the officer who 
came on board to take possession of her, though 
accustomed to scenes of slaughter, fainted at the 
shocking spectacle. After the affair of the Argus 
and Pelican, it was asserted that our sailors were 
brave only while successful and unhurt, but that the 
sight of slaughter filled them with dismay. This 
battle clearly proves that they are capable of the 
highest exercise of courage. From the distance and 
position of the enemy, this battle was chiefly fought 
on the part of the Essex by six twelve pounders 
only, yet the damage sustained by the enemy was 
severe. Their masts and yards were badly crippled, 
their hulls much cut up, the Phcebe, especially, 
received eighteen twelve pound shot below her water 
line, some three feet under water. Their loss in 
killed and wounded was not ascertained, but must 



SYMPATHY OF THE CHILIANS. 423 

have been severe ; the first lieutenant of the Phoebe 
was killed, and Captain Tucker of the Cherub was 
severely wounded. It was with some difficulty that 
the Phoebe and Essex were kept afloat until they 
anchored next morning in the harbour of Valparaiso. 
This battle was fought so near the shore that the 
neighbouring heights were filled with the inhabitants 
of Valparaiso, who were spectators of it; and some 
of the shot fell among the citizens who had ventured 
down upon the beach. A generous anxiety ran 
throughout the multitude for the fate of the Essex; 
bursts of delight arose when any change of battle 
seemed to favour her; the eager spectators were 
seen to wring their hands, and utter groans of sym- 
pathy when the transient hope failed, and the gallant 
little frigate once more became the scene of delibe- 
rate slaughter. After the battle, as Captain Porter 
acknowledges, Commodore Hillyar endeavoured as 
much as lay in his power to alleviate their suffering 
and distress by the most generous and delicate deport- 
ment towards both officers and men, commanding 
that the property of every person should be restored. 
Captain Porter and his crew were paroled and per- 
mitted to return to the United States. Off the port 
of New York they were overhauled by the Saturn 
razee, whose commander questioned the authority 
of Commodore Hillyar to grant a passport. Captain 
Porter then told the boarding officer that he gave up 
his parole and considered himself a prisoner of war, 
and as such should use all means of escape. In con- 
sequence of this threat, the Essex Junior was com- 
pelled to remain under the lee of the Saturn all night; 
but the next morning Captain Porter put off in his 



424 APPOINTED NAVY COMMISSIONER. 

boat, though thirty miles from the shore ; and not- 
withstanding he was pursued by the Saturn he landed 
safely on Long Island. Various interesting and ro- 
mantic rumours had reached this country concerning 
him during his cruise in the Pacific, which had excited 
the curiosity of the public to see this modern Sinbad ; 
on his arrival at New York his carriage was sur- 
rounded by the populace, who took out the horses, 
and dragged him, with shouts and acclamations, to 
his lodgings. 

Of the remainder of Commodore Porter's eventful 
life our scanty limits compel us to give but an imper- 
fect sketch. 

After the conclusion of the war in 1815, Commo- 
dore Porter was appointed a navy commissioner. 
He was a member of that board until the year 1821, 
during which time he devoted the whole of his atten- 
tion to the interests of the navy. In 1821 he volun- 
teered to take command of the West India squadron 
for the suppression of piracy. A more difficult and 
hazardous service was scarcely ever undertaken. A 
long and constant exposure to a tropical sun by day, 
and deadly chills and damps by night, constantl}"- 
threatened the lives of the little bands, who were 
seeking, in open boats and vessels of the smallest 
size, the haunts of the freebooters, among the rocks 
and shoals of the uninhabited coasts of Cuba and 
St. Domingo. They performed it, however, with 
such signal zeal and success, that at the end of sixty 
days from the commencement of his operations, the 
commodore, in his official despatches, was able to 
say, " that there was not a pirate afloat in the region 
of Matanzas, the scene of their greatest depredations, 



COMMANDS THE WEST INDIA SQUADRON. 425 

larger than an open boat ; and not a single piratical 
act had been committed on the coast of Cuba since 
he had organized and arranged his forces." He, 
however, very much regretted that the gazettes of 
the United States had given publicity to the fitting 
out of his armament, its destination and object, long 
before his arrival in the West Indies, which enabled 
the pirates to change their ground, and prevented 
their complete destruction ; which, otherwise, he 
should have accomplished. Many of them sought 
other hiding places in the southern and south-western 
coasts of Cuba, near Cape Antonio; whence, at an 
after period, they renewed their depredations.* 

In October, 1824, Commodore Porter, in resent- 
ment of an insult oifered to the flag of the United 
States, by the authorities of Foxardo in Porto Rico, 
landed a force at the place and compelled a public 
apology. For this act he was recalled from the sta- 
tion where he had rendered such eminent service, 
and in consequence of the action of a court martial 
was suspended from his command for six months. 
The commodore felt himself greatly aggrieved by 
these proceedings. He had voluntarily relinquished 
an easy and honourable station, as commissioner of 
the navy, for a very difficult and dangerous service, 
which he had executed with great zeal and success, 
resulting in important benefits to his country. For a 
single error in judgment, in relation to the extent of 
his powers, which had been attended with no evil, 
and which fell far short of other cases that had 
been overlooked, he had been taken from his com- 

* Perkins' Historical Sketches, chap. 14. 
3 H 36* 



426 DEATH OF COMMODORE PORTER, 

mand, ordered home, arrested, tried by a court mar- 
tial, and suspended. Under these impressions he 
resigned his command in the navy, and entered into 
a negotiation with the Mexican government, by which 
he became commander-in-chief of all the naval forces 
of Mexico, with a salary of twenty-five thousand dol- 
lars a year. 

In 1829 Commodore Porter left the service of 
Mexico, and returning to this country received the 
appointment of consul general to the Barbary powers. 
After the capture of Algiers by the French, he was 
appointed charge d'affaires to Constantinople. He 
subsequently returned to this country, and was sent 
out as minister to the Porte. All the important 
negotiations and treaties of our government with that 
of Turkey subsequent to that period have been con- 
ducted by him; and he still retained this highly 
honourable and important appointment at the time 
of his decease, which took place March 28th, 1843. 

Commodore Porter was one of the most active, 
courageous and able officers that have served under 
the American flag. With a chivalrous disregard of 
ease and interest, he always sought the post of greatest 
danger and difficulty, and was always found equal to 
any emergency in which he was placed by the de- 
mands of duty and honour. If he was prone to act 
upon impulse, his impulses were always of a noble 
and generous kind, worthy of the high-spirited de- 
fender of a national flag. His services were eminent 
in every station which he filled, and they will ever 
be remembered with gratitude by his cojintrymen. 



WILLIAM BURROWS. 




T is the laudable desire of every brave 
man to receive the praises of his 
'^"^^^S^fW countrymen ; but there is a dearer 
and more cherished wish that grows closer to his 
heart : it is to live in the recollections of those he 
loves and honours ; to leave behind him a name, at 
the mention of which the bosom of friendship shall 
glow, the eye of affection shall brighten ; which shall 
be a legacy of honest pride to his family, causing it 
to dwell on his worthy deeds, and glory in his memory. 
The bravest soldier would not willingly expose him- 
self to certain danger, if he thought that death were 
to be followed by oblivion; he might rise above the 
mere dread of bodily pain, but human pride shrinks 
from the darkness and silence of the grave. 

It is the duty, and it is likewise the policy, there- 
fore, of a nation, to pay distinguished honour to the 
memories of those who have fallen in its service. It 
is, after all, but a cheap reward for sufferings and 
death ; but it is a reward that will prompt others to 
the sacrifice, when they see that it is faithfully dis- 
charged. The youthful bosom warms with emulation 
at the praises of departed heroes. The marble monu- 
ment that bears the story of a nation's admiration 
and gratitude, becomes an object of ambition. Death, 

427 



428 • EARLY LIFE. 

the great terror of warfare, ceases to be an evil when 
graced with such distinctions ; and thus one hero 
may be said, hke a phoenix, to spring from the ashes 
of his predecessor. 

In the gallant young officer who is the subject of 
the present memoir, we shall see these observations 
verified; he fought with the illustrious example of 
his brethren before his eyes, and died with the fune- 
ral honours of Lawrence fresh in his recollection. 

Lieutenant "William Burrows was born in 1785, at 
Kinderton, near Philadelphia, the seat of his father, 
William Ward Burrows, Esq., of South Carolina. 
He was educated chiefly under the eye of his parent, 
who was a gentleman of accomplished mind and 
polished manners. It is not known whether he was 
intended for any particular profession: but great 
pains were taken to instruct him in the living lan- 
guages ; and at the age of thirteen he was as well 
acquainted with the German as with his mother 
tongue ; he was likewise kept rigidly at the study of 
the French, for which, however, he showed a singular 
aversion. The dawning of his character was pleasing 
and auspicious ; to quickness of intellect he added an 
amiable disposition and generous sensibility of heart. 
His character, however, soon assumed more distinct 
and peculiar features ; a shade of reserve began gra- 
dually to settle on his manners. At an age when the 
feelings of other children are continually bursting forth, 
he seemed to hush his into subjection. He appeared to 
retire within himself: to cherish a solitary independ- 
ence of mind, and to rely as much as possible on 
his own resources. It seemed as if his young imagi- 
nation had already glanced forth on the rough scene 



A MIDSHIPMAX. 429 

of his future life, and that he was silently preparing 
himself for its vicissitudes. Nor is it improbable 
that such was the case. Though little communicative 
of his hopes and wishes, it was evident that his genius 
had taken its bias. Even among the gentle employ- 
ments and elegant pursuits of a polite education, his 
family were astonished to perceive the rugged symp- 
toms of the sailor continually breaking forth : and 
his drawing master would sometimes surprise him 
neglecting the allotted task, to paint the object of his 
silent adoration — a gallant ship of war. 

On finding that such was the determined bent of 
his inclinations, care was immediately taken to in- 
struct him in naval science. A midshipman's warrant 
was procured for him in November, 1799. and in the 
following January he joined the sloop of war Ports- 
mouth, commanded by Captain M'Neale, in which 
he sailed to France. This cruise, while it confirmed 
his predilection for the life he had adopted, made 
him acquainted with his own deficiencies. Instead 
of the puerile vanity and harmless ostentation which 
striplings generally evince when they first put on 
their uniform, and feel the importance of command, 
it was with difliculty he could be persuaded to wear 
the naval dress, until he had proved himself worthy 
of it by his services. The same mixture of genuine 
difiidence and proud humility was observed in the 
discharge of his duties towards his inferiors; he felt 
the novelty of his situation, and shrunk from the 
exercise of authorit}- over the aged and veteran sailor, 
whom he considered his superior in seamanship. On 
his return home, therefore, he requested a furlough 
of some months, to strengthen him in the principles 



430 TRIPOLITAN WAR. 

of navigation. He also resumed the study of the 
French language, the necessity for which he had ex- 
perienced in his late cruise, and from his knowledge 
of grammatical elements, joined to vigorous applica- 
tion, he soon learned to use it with fluency. 

He was afterwards ordered on duty, and served on 
board of various ships until 1803, when he was or- 
dered to the frigate Constitution, Commodore Preble. 
Soon after the arrival of that ship in the Mediterra- 
nean, the commodore, noticing his zeal and abilities, 
made him an acting lieutenant. In the course of the 
Tripolitan war he distinguished himself on various 
occasions by his intrepidity; particularly in one in- 
stance, when he rushed into the midst of a mutinous 
body, and seized the ringleader, at the imminent 
hazard of his life. After his return to the United 
States, in 1807, he was in different services, and 
among others, as first lieutenant of the Hornet. 
While in this situation, he distinguished himself 
greatly during a violent and dangerous gale, insomuch 
that his brother officers attributed the preservation of 
the ship entirely to his presence of mind and con- 
summate seamanship. 

The details of a sailor's life are generally brief, 
and little satisfactory. We expect miraculous stories 
from men who rove the deep, visit every corner of 
the world, and mingle in storms and battles; and are 
mortified to find them treating these subjects with 
provoking brevity. The fact is, these circumstances 
that excite our wonder are trite and familiar to their 
minds. He whose whole life is a tissue of perils and 
adventures, passes lightly over scenes at which the 
landsman, accustomed to the security of his fireside, 



CHARACTER OF BURROWS. 431 

shudders even in imagination. Mere bravery ceases 
to be a matter of ostentation, when every one around 
him is brave ; and hairbreadth 'scapes are common- 
place topics among men whose very profession con- 
sists in the hourly hazard of existence. 

In seeking, therefore, after interesting anecdotes 
concerning those naval officers whose exploits have 
excited public enthusiasm, our curiosity is continually 
baffled by general accounts, or meager particulars, 
given with the technical brevity of a log-book. We 
have thus been obliged to pass cursorily over several 
years of Burrows' seafaring life, though doubtless 
chequered by many striking incidents. 

From what we can collect, he seems to have been 
a marked and eccentric character. His peculiarity, 
instead of being smoothed and worn down by mingling 
with the world, became more and more prominent, as 
he advanced in life. He had centred all his pride in 
becoming a thorough and accomplished sailor, and 
regarded every thing else with indifference. His 
manners were an odd compound of carelessness and 
punctilio, frankness and taciturnity. He stood aloof 
from the familiarity of strangers, and in his contempt 
of what he considered fawning and profession, was 
sometimes apt to offend by blunt simplicity, or chill 
by reserve. But his character, when once known, 
seemed to attach by its very eccentricities, and though 
little studious of pleasing, he soon became a decided 
favourite. He had an original turn of thought and a 
strong perception of every thing ludicrous and charac- 
teristic. Though scarcely ever seen to laugh himself, 
he possessed an exquisite vein of dry humour which 
he would occasionally indulge in the hours of hilarity, 



432 CHARACTER OF BURROWS. 

and, without moving a muscle of his own countenance, 
would set the table in a roar. When under the 
influence of this lurking drollery, every thing he said 
and did was odd and whimsical. His replies were 
remarkably happy, and, heightened by the peculiarity 
of his manner, and the provoking gravity of his de- 
meanour, were sources of infinite merriment to his 
associates. It was his delight to put on the dress of 
the common sailor, and explore the haunts of low 
life, drawing from thence traits of character and 
comic scenes, with which he would sometimes enter- 
tain his messmates. 

But with all this careless and eccentric manner, he 
possessed a heart full of noble qualities. He was 
proud of spirit, but perfectly unassuming ; jealous of 
his own rights, but scrupulously considerate of those 
of others. His friendships were strong and sincere; 
and he was zealous in the performance of secret and 
important services for those to whom he was at- 
tached. There was a rough benevolence in his dis- 
position, that manifested itself in a thousand odd 
ways; nothing dehghted him more than to surprise 
the distressed with relief, and he was noted for his 
kindness and condescension towards the humble and 
dependant. His companions were full of his generous 
deeds, and he was the darling of the common sailors. 
Such was the sterling worth that lay encrusted in 
an unpromising exterior, and hidden from the world 
by a forbidding and taciturn reserve. 

With such strong sensibilities and solitary pride 
of character, it was the lot of Burrows to be wounded 
in that tender part where the feelings of officers seem 
most assailable. In his promotion to a lieutenancy 



ENTERS THE MERCHANT SERVICE. 433 

he had the mortification to find himself outranked by- 
junior officers, some of whom he had commanded in 
the Tripolitan war. He remonstrated to the navy 
department, but without redress. On Mr. Hamilton's 
going into office, he stated to him his claims, and, 
impatient of the slight which he conceived he had 
suffered, offered to resign his commission, which, 
however, was not accepted. Whether the wrongs 
of which he complained were real or imaginary, they 
preyed deeply on his mind. He seemed for a time to 
grow careless of the world and of himself; withdrew 
more than ever from society, and abandoned himself 
to the silent broodings of a wounded spirit. Perhaps 
this morbid sensibility of feeling might in some mea- 
sure have been occasioned by infirmity of body, his 
health having been broken by continual and severe 
duty; but it belongs to a saturnine character, like 
that of Burrows, to feel deeply and sorely. Men of 
gayer spirits and more mercurial temperament, may 
readily shake off vexation, or bustle it away amid the 
amusements and occupations of the world ; but Bur- 
rows was scanty in his pleasures, limited in his 
resources, single in his ambition. Naval distinction 
was the object of all his hopes and pride ; it was the 
only light that led him on and cheered his way, and 
whatever intervened left him in darkness and dreari- 
ness of heart. 

Finding his resignation was not accepted, and feel- 
ing temporary disgust at the service, he applied for a 
furlough, which, with some difficulty, he obtained. 
He then entered as first officer on board the merchant 
ship Thomas Penrose, Captain Ansley, and sailed on 
a commercial voyage to Canton. On his return 
31 37 



434 ENTERPRISE AND BOXER. 

passage he was captured and carried into Barbadoes, 
but permitted to come home, on parole. Immediately 
on his being exchanged, in June, 1813, he was ap- 
pointed to the command of the brig Enterprise, (16 
guns,) at Portsmouth. 

This appointment seemed to infuse new life and 
spirits into Burrows, and to change his whole deport- 
ment. His proper pride was gratified on having a 
separate command; he no longer felt like an unim- 
portant individual, but that he had rank and station 
to support. He threw off a great deal of his habitual 
reserve, became urbane and attentive ; and those who 
had lately looked upon him as a mere misanthrope, 
were delighted with the manly frankness of his 
manners. , 

On the 1st of September, the Enterprise sailed 
from Portsmouth on a cruise. On the 5th, early in 
the morning, they espied a brig in shore getting 
D.Fider way. They reconnoitred her for a while to 
ascertain her character, of which they were soon in- 
formed by her hoisting three British ensigns, and 
firing a shot as a challenge. The Enterprise then 
hauled upon a wind, stood out of the bay, and prepared 
for action. A calm for some time delayed the encoun- 
ter ; it was succeeded by a breeze from the south- 
west, which gave our vessel the weathergage. After 
manoeuvring for a while to the windward, in order to 
try her sailing with the enemy, and to ascertain his 
force, the Enterprise, about 3 P. M., shortened sail, 
hoisted three ensigns, fired a gun, tacked, and ran 
down with an intention to bring him to close quarters. 
When within half pistol shot the enemy gave three 
cheers, and commenced the action with his starboard 



CAPTURE OF THE BOXER. 437 

broadside. The cheers and the broadside were re- 
turned on our part, and the action became general. 
In about five minutes after the battle had commenced, 
the gallant Burrows received a musket ball in his 
body and fell; he, however, refused to be carried 
below, but continued on deck through the action. 
The active command was then taken by Lieutenant 
M'Call, who conducted himself with great skill and 
coolness. The enemy was out-manoeuvred and cut 
up : his maintopmast and topsail-yard shot away ; a 
position gained on his starboard bow, and a raking 
fire kept up, until his guns were silenced and he cried 
for quarters, saying, that as his colours were nailed 
to the mast he could not haul them down. The prize 
proved to bs his Britannic majesty's brig Boxer, of 
14 guns. The number of her crew is a matter of 
conjecture and dispute. Sixty-four prisoners were 
taken, seventeen of whom were wounded. How 
many of the dead were thrown into the sea during 
the action it is impossible to say ;* the British return 
only four as killed ; courtesy forbids us to question 
the veracity of an officer on mere presumption ; but 
it is ever the natural wish of the vanquished to depre- 
ciate their force ; and, in truth, we have seen with re- 
gret various instances of disingenuousness on the part 
of the enemy, in their statements of our naval encoun- 

* In a letter from Captain Hull to Commodore Bainbridge he de- 
scribes the state of the Boxer when brought into port : and observes, 
" We find it impossible to get at the number of killed ; no papers are 
found by which we can ascertain it. I however counted ninety ham- 
mocks which were in her netting with beds in them, besides several 
beds without hammocks ; and she had excellent accommodations for 
all her officers below in state-rooms, so that I have no doubt that she 
had one hundred men on board." 

37* 



438 CONDUCT OF BURROWS. 

ters. But we will not enter into disputes of this 
kind. It is enough that the enemy entered into the 
battle with a bravado at the mast head, and a confi 
dence of success ; this either implied a consciousness 
of his own force, or a low opinion of his antagonist ; 
in either case he was mistaken. It is a fruitless task 
to vindicate victories against the excuses of the van- 
quished — sufficient for the victor is the jo)i of his 
triumph, he should allow the enemy the consolation 
of accounting for it. 

We turn gladly from such an idle discussion to 
notice the last moments of the worthy Burrows. 
There needs no elaborate pencil to impart pathos 
and grandeur to the death of a brave man. The 
simple anecdotes given in simple terms by his sur- 
viving comrades, present more striking pictures, than 
could be wrought up by the most refined attempts of 
art. "At twenty minutes past three P. M.," says 
one account, " our brave commander fell, and while 
lying on the deck, refusing to be carried below, 
raised his head and requested that the flag might 
never he struck.'''' In this situation he remained dur- 
ing the rest of the engagement, regardless of bodily 
pain; regardless of the life-blood fast ebbing from 
his wound ; watching with anxious eye the vicissi- 
tudes of battle ; cheering his men by his voice, but 
animating them still more by his glorious example. 
When the sword of the vanquished enemy was pre- 
sented to him, we are told that he clasped his hands 
and exclaimed, " I am satisfied, I die contented." 
He now permitted himself to be carried below, and 
the necessary attentions were paid to save his life, or 
alleviate his sufferings. His wound, however, was 



DEATH OF BURROWS. 439 

beyond the power of surgery, and he breathed his 
last within a few hours after the victory. 

The commander of the Boxer, Captain Samuel 
Blythe, was killed early in the action by a cannon 
ball ; had he lived he might have defended his ship 
more desperately, but it is not probable with more 
success. He was an officer of distinguished merit; 
having received a sword from government for his 
good conduct under Sir James L. Yeo, in the cap- 
ture of Cayenne. He was also one of the pall-bearers 
of our lamented Lawrence, when buried at Halifax. 
It was his fate now to receive like courtesy at the 
hands of his enemy. His remains, in company with 
those of the brave Burrows, were brought to Port- 
land, where they were interred with military honours. 
It was a striking and affecting sight, to behold two 
gallant commanders, who had lately been arrayed in 
deadly hostility against each other, descending into 
one quiet grave, there to mingle their dust peacefully 
together. 



In concluding the present work, the author cannot 
but express his regret that the narrow limits, ori- 
ginally prescribed for its extent, have constrained him 
to omit the lives of many commanders, who have won 
distinction in the naval service of the country. A 
considerable mass of materials still remains, although 
there is not a sufficient quantity to furnish another 
volume of the same size. It is his intention at some 
future time to give a second series of lives on the 
same plan ; and he would esteem it a special favour 
if the families or friends of deceased commanders, or 



440 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 

any other persons who possess letters or documents 
which may serve as materials for a future volume of 
Naval Biography, would permit him the use of them 
for that purpose. 

It is due to the merits of several highly distin- 
guished officers to say, that notices of their lives 
would have been inserted in the present work, but 
for the difficulty of obtaining the requisite materials. 
This deficiency, the author hopes, will be supplied, 
should he ever have it in his power to resume his 
task. The theme has been found much more fertile 
than was supposed at the outset of the undertaking. 
There are many highly deserving officers whose 
characters and actions are comparatively unknown 
to fame ; but whose achievements in naval warfare 
may well bear comparison with those of the heroes 
who have been so fortunate as to perform their parts 
on a more conspicuous theatre. Towards these the 
author trusts that history hereafter will do justice ; 
and that many noble actions in our naval annals, 
hitherto unnoticed, may be placed in their proper 
light, and receive their merited meed of praise from 
a grateful countrv. 



THE END 



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